My child is in K and I went to my first meeting and just listened. It is a small, established group, their biggest focus is fundraisers. I am free to help but don't have any big ideas. What is the etiquette now in terms of joining a sub-committee? No-one really told me. Feedback??
Yay for getting involved! Every little bit or any small contribution you can make will be valued by the school. I hope you stay involved all through high school! (from a high school teacher--where it's HARD to get parents involved)
You simply tell whoever is in charge of the fundraiser or group that you want to be involved and ask where you are needed the most and get working.
Offer to help wherever needed. Tell them the hours you are free and available.
I'm surprised they didn't ask for help, have sign-ups, etc. as usually they are desperate and practically attack the K parents, lol!
Did YOU ask how you could help or become involved?
Just sitting there won't get you anywhere. You don't need a "big idea" just say hey, I'd like to help out, what can I do?
I think all PTOs love it when a new person comes in and is willing to help out and volunteer. They always need more volunteers for all their fundraisers and the more help they have the easier things will be. Just let them know you are willing to volunteer and help. We moved here 2 years ago and I started volunteering...people seem very thankful. I just started going to the meetings and when they asked for help with something I said I could do it. I have been on the Book Fair Committee for 2 years now and also help out with things like bake sales, teacher appreciation lunches, and the walk-a-thon fundraiser. It's fun and I've met some really nice women.
Talk to the PTA board and ask how you can help.
Right now, we're in the process of electing officers and committee chair persons for our PTO, which reminds me that I need to email the lady in charge so I can get on our High School Board.
Call the President of yours and tell her you'd like to volunteer or be on a committee.
Coming to meetings is a great way to get to know the people of your PTO - so speak up! At first, all I did was go to meetings and sign up to volunteer when they needed bodies for various activities. Later on, I was asked to be on committees (Kindergarten Fun Day, Field Day, Walk A Thon, etc) and got more involved in the planning. Believe me, I'm not super creative or a wunderkind when it comes to ideas, but we feed off of each other's excitement.
It's awesome that you want to be involved!
I suggest sitting through a few meetings, get a feel for the "climate" and feel free to volunteer to "help"- most of us are over extended and are always glad to have new energy!!! You will begin to notice it is the SAME people who do everything, not because no one else is allowed, but because no one else cares enough to devote time to it. (And I work full time, so please don't attack!!! LOL)
Do what you can to support events...you don't have to be the one to generate the ideas. Or ask some neighbors and friends for ideas. I joined my kids PTO but because I travel can't participate in a lot of events...I started up the Labels for Education program because I can do it in my free time.
At the next meeting, just let them know who you are and that you would like to help. Most PTO's are lacking in parents who can participate, so the fact that you can and want to is huge. They will take advantage of your eagerness to help as soon as they know you want to be involved.
