Adding and Keeping Members

GROWING YOUR PTA

Building PTA membership in the long run depends on more than just recruiting members. It takes making the PTA a meaningful part of school life. When a PTA provides relevant programs, supports student success, and involves all groups within the school community, greater participation and support will naturally follow.

Adding and keeping members begins by:

Asking people to join;
Acknowledging differences within the membership;
Learning to understand and accept those differences;
Practicing respect and welcoming all;
Involving the underrepresented groups in the PTA – reap the richness of diversity!
Discussing honestly what is needed for PTA and the school to be most effective for all students and families;
Setting realistic goals – there are no magical membership or outreach answers;
Recognizing each PTA is unique – what works for one may not work for another; and
Being aware of practical barriers keeping members from making meetings and joining in, and being open to new ways to overcome those barriers.

Have Answers When Someone Says No

Ways to Make People Feel Accepted

Have You Invited the Special People?

If your membership campaign is a roaring success – celebrate! If your campaign doesn’t meet its goal – celebrate the effort and value what was achieved. In either case, take a moment to evaluate what worked, what challenges remain, and write down your experience and ideas for the next membership campaign.

OUTREACH

Outreach is first a commitment to create an inviting climate. It is further about forming respectful, trusting relationships throughout the school community and recognizing that everyone has value. Outreach is sharing and distributing important information about PTA and topics of concern that inform and invite action.

Outreach must be a priority for all of us. The greater the ability of PTA members and leaders to form positive one-on-one relationships with all community members, the greater their ability to generate positive impacts for all children, the school community, and the organization.

Outreach efforts are successful when PTA leaders can develop community support with meaningful two-way discussions focusing on student success.

Outreach includes efforts that focus on enlisting the participation of parents, students, and community members in the educational process.

Invite and encourage everyone to be a part, and assure everyone may play a role, because your community is your greatest asset.
Empower others with information, support, and resources focused on students’ needs.
See the uniqueness of each individual.
Work to build representative leadership and voice – support the democratic process. Is the PTA reflective of the greater community?
Assess practices to assure inclusiveness and speak out for change.

Steps to Take:

Be bold – Envision communitywide involvement in seeking educational excellence.
Understand that everyone has value – See the assets each person brings because everyone counts.
Speak to everyone – Build a volunteer base that is representative of the diversity of the community, encompassing all languages and customs.
Build personal relationships – Invite involvement through one-on-one relationships focused on what can be achieved for children.
Show school spirit and pride – Display logos and accomplishments, student work, and share expressions of affirmation because, “This school is the best!”
Readily share Information – Share PTA’s goals and values, programs, PTA contact information, resources, and published literature on important topics.
Check your success – Regularly measure your efforts, share your results, and modify your goals.