How to Bring a School's PTA Back to Life

School's depend on PTA's and Booster Clubs to help sponsor events, earn money for field trips and to get items that the school may need but can't afford due to all the budget cuts that school's forever face.

If your PTA has been lackluster of late then its time to bring it breathe some life back into it. Its not as impossible as it sounds. You simply have to have the drive and will to get others on board.

This article will give you a few tips on how to jump start your PTO/PTA.

#1: Membership Drive

The first thing you should do is have a membership drive. A membership drive brings in needed funds for the organization plus it gives you contact to parents who may want to help you get the PTA back on its feet.

Try to have the drive the second or third week of school. You can have it be ongoing but its important to start early.

#2: Have PTA Presence on the First Day of School

The first day of school brings a lot of parents as they drop their kids off and/or take them to their new classroom to meet the teacher. Have a small table at the school that has info on the PTO, including membership forms. You'll get a few parents who may be interested in joining.

#3: Show Your PTA is Serious

PTA's get a bad rap as many people think they're very controlling, have petty fights, etc. And truth be told, they can be just that but then you'll come across a really great PTA and that is what you want for your PTA. Have friendly faces at every meeting, every time that you sell something, introduce yourself to other parents, etc. Let it be known that you are trying to get your PTA back on track and that you are willing to work with others to do it.

#4: 2 Hour Power

The PTO Website has a program called 2 Hour Power. 2 Hour Power is a form that parents sign to commit to volunteering just two hours the entire school year. They are welcome to volunteer more but many parents don't want to help because they think that they'll always be asked to help. With 2 Hour Power, they are secure in knowing that they'll only be asked to help 2 hours during the school year and won't be bothered with anything else. To find out more about 2 Hour Power, visit this link.

#5: Fundraising & Donations

Fundraising is an important part of getting a PTA back on its feet. If you don't fundraise, how can you have a good club? The same goes for donations. First contact businesses and ask for donations. When you ask for donations, you'll get a lot of no's but you'll also get some yes's. You can use the items for opportunity drawings. You can do fundraisers to earn money by way of grams, water bottle sales after school, pizza sales at events, etc.

#6: Officers

You need officers in the club to maintain order. Other parents at the school will look to the officers for guidance. Try to fill the officer positions in the club first. You don't have to have every seat filled but it would be helpful to at least have the president or vice president slot filled when you're first starting.