To PTA or Not to PTA?
So, my big guy is in Kindergarten. Now, this is obviously my first experience in 'real' public school - so I did what many virgin moms within the public school system do, attend that first PTA meeting back in September. I'm sitting there listening to this year's committee and seeing the seriousness of it all. I start to look around thinking to myself - am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? Don't get me wrong...I understand the importance of parental involvement in the school system and I do not minimize the work that goes into it, but there is no reason that it needs to all be this serious. The voting is what pushed me over the edge. We had to vote in favor or opposition of the newly appointed treasurer. "All in favor...say I". Everyone (including me said I) no one said 'ney'. Who would say 'ney'. Why would you say 'ney'. Geez. It was all too silly for me.
Then it comes time to start divvying up the committee chairs for the upcoming year. I tried. I really did try to hide. It simply didn't work. The piranha’s got me.
"Stacey Smith, don't you run a magazine?"
Me: "Um, yes."
PTA Pres: "Well then wouldn't you do wonders with our school Newsletter! Why don't you take that and run with it."
Me: "Sure."
That was the end of it. Great. What did I do? I had no idea, until I met with the past Newsletter Committee Chair to hand over the reigns.
So not only did I need to layout the total school newsletter, but I needed to figure out content, images, ideas, crafts, etc. The complete newsletter. Yes, a mini-magazine! Just what I needed on my already overflowing plate.
After figuring out my options I elected one class mom and one student - per grade - to own the content and everything for their grade. It actually worked out well. Everyone hands in their information. I lay it all out and still had one full page that was blank. The 30 page newsletter (yes 30 pages!!) had a blank page. What the heck am I going to do with this blank page. So being the magazine guru that I am (ha!)...sell advertising! Great idea. I looked at other school newsletters and saw that they had done that and thought it would be great. So in between dropping my son at Karate and picking up the takeout for dinner one night, I solicited about 10 local establishments and asked them to donate $20 to the school for their ad that would run in the newsletter. Everyone was thrilled and so was I. I created the 10 business card sized ads for the newsletter, raise $200 for the budget, and finally and proudly submit the newsletter to the PTA President for review.
I get an email from her the next day. "The newsletter is amazing! However, we can't accept advertising in our PTA distributed papers. We can't rightfully promote one for-profit entity over another."
Now I'm beside myself. Why? Do you know how many solicitation papers I get sent home in that backpack of my Kindergarteners? Selling chocolates, little league sign ups, camps, buy books, buy this, buy that. I SOLD advertisements why is that any different from any other fundraiser.
So this situation has yet to be resolved. I will keep you posted as to the outcome. I just had to vent. So back to my question...To PTA or Not to PTA? Is all the additional aggravation we bring on ourselves by wanting to do the right thing and participate in our children's school - is it worth it? Would they be none-the-wiser if mommy wasn't the Newsletter Committee chair? I'd love to hear comments on this topic - I'm at a loss and in an internal struggle. Please moms...guide me. Thanks!
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: To PTA or Not to PTA?.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://thedailymom.ivillage.com/system/mt-tb.cgi/5139
I have a 4th grader and kindergartener and I feel your pain. I started 5 years ago by just going to meetings, then I was "elected" (suckered) treasurer, which is a 2 year term. Now this year, my term is over and I just help out in class when they need soemone to help.
We sold advertisement in our year book last year, so I think the idea to sell it for a newsletter that goes out more than once a year is a great idea, good fundraising and good advertisement. Not sure why your president is against it. I would tell her that since she is the president and she is making the decision to not accept the donations that she can contact the businesses to explain why they can't accept the funds. We have companies that sponsor baseball, softball, soccer teams, why not a PTA newsletter?
I agree, sometimes it's a little too hardcore and I think it turns off a lot of parents. I would suggest to support the PTA and the benefits they provide, just volunteer in class and instead of bothering friends and family to buy stuff make an annual donation in lieu of participating in fundraisers. Your kids don't notice whether you do the newsletter or not.
My 2 cents!
K
I did the same thing, jumped in with both feet when my kids started public school. I was always raising my hand and offering to do my thing. I was a very busy mother of 3 with little or no extra time. I did it simply for that "badge" of "involved parent". Well, now with my oldest halfway thru 7th grade, I can tell you that few if any "T's" of the PTA ever come to those meetings. Certainly not my kids teachers! So, it wasn't helping me with their opinion of me or my kids! And as for the seriousness??? Silly! And this year the Middle School PTA burned me badly with a HUGE project, the promise of a stipend, and then the refusal to pay the stipend at the end of 6 months of hard work...because they didn't have the funds!!! I have sworn off volunteering ever again. If a teacher of one of my kids needs something, I'll be there, I'll donate, whatever...but the PTA has seen the last of my giving and hardworking volunteer spirited self!!
I did the same thing, jumped in with both feet when my kids started public school. I was always raising my hand and offering to do my thing. I was a very busy mother of 3 with little or no extra time. I did it simply for that "badge" of "involved parent". Well, now with my oldest halfway thru 7th grade, I can tell you that few if any "T's" of the PTA ever come to those meetings. Certainly not my kids teachers! So, it wasn't helping me with their opinion of me or my kids! And as for the seriousness??? Silly! And this year the Middle School PTA burned me badly with a HUGE project, the promise of a stipend, and then the refusal to pay the stipend at the end of 6 months of hard work...because they didn't have the funds!!! I have sworn off volunteering ever again. If a teacher of one of my kids needs something, I'll be there, I'll donate, whatever...but the PTA has seen the last of my giving and hardworking volunteer spirited self!!