What do you picture when you imagine a PTA? A group of mums chatting in the playground? A gathering of women planning the summer fair over a coffee? But times are changing, and with work patterns becoming more flexible and childcare shared with dads, grandparents and friends, maybe it
Experiment with holding meetings at different times of the day and make it clear that everyone is welcome. If you
If you would like to attract grandparents, how about writing a letter addressed directly to them, which could be sent home in book bags and passed on? Members of the local community can be reached through local newsletters, parish magazines and social media. Identify specific jobs that would be suitable for the groups you
To get dads to dip their toes in the PTA, put out a call for jobs that may appeal more to them. Could they help make-over the school garden, repaint the shed or lend a hand on the barbecue? Nick Roe, PTFA member at his daughter
Try running an event that will appeal to men in particular. ‘PTAs need to make sure dads know they are welcome at social events,
Find something locally that has a big male audience on which you could draw. For example, you could approach your local football team about holding a football fair with matches, activities and speakers from the club. Activity-based events, such as a LEGO building challenge or a recycled craft challenge, are an excellent way for families to connect.
Once you have a captive audience, be sure to hand out information about what else they can do, why the help is needed and what it will achieve.
TIP: Hold a meeting outside of usual PTA hours once a term so that people who wouldn
More and more grandparents are helping out with childcare, so it
With a lifetime of experience, many grandparents have specialist skills and expertise to bring to your committee: a retired accountant would make the perfect treasurer, for example, and an experienced seamstress might like to run your second-hand uniform shop. Grandparents will have established networks of local friends, so as well as gaining new members, you could attract more event attendees too. Whatever role they play, inviting grandparents to participate actively gives them the opportunity to share their time and talents in a way that benefits the whole school.
Making friends: Your governing document contains information about who can be a member of your organisation. Usually, only a PTFA or Friends Association will allow people who don
Put your school at the heart of the community by inviting local residents to join up. Appeal for help through social media and by writing letters, or, for maximum impact, hold a targeted event. Take a look at what
Spread the message at your event and make sure attendees know how much you
If you have a local Lions Club, Rotary Club or Women
When appealing for help, try to tailor the job to the person – it