The *New & Improved* PTA

So, I went to the meeting. I was, as always, well behaved.

After listening to the Prez blather for about 15 minutes, and the ensuing fun of voting for an executive board that wasn't there--3 out of 6 people nominated didn't even bother to come--I made my first suggestion.

We're a small enough group, could we go around the room and introduce ourselves?

You'd have thought I invented pre-sliced bread.

And the fun didn't end there. I got to say "no" twice!!! to being the secretary.

But that's not all I've won!

At one point, the Prez opened the floor for discussion: She wanted ideas--ANY ideas at all, that might make the PTA better.

So, after a mind-blowing five minutes of silence, I suggested:

1) Change the time to 6:30pm. It's difficult to make a 6pm meeting after work.

2) Get name tags, so that it'll be easier for us to get to know each other (and remember names!)

3) Use a "sign in" sheet, so that ANYONE who is attending their first meeting can receive a "Thanks for coming" phone call from the membership committee, with an invite to contact a specific person if needed

4) Add a full event calendar to the newsletter (I was asked to take on that albatross, too LOL)--if not for the full year, at least for 2 or 3 months. This will enable parents to plan ahead for meetings, events, volunteering, whatever. Any dates that haven't been set yet, or that can't be set yet (the end-of-year picnic can't be set until we know when the last day of school is) can be listed under it's usual month with TBA following. " *Dates and Times Subject to Change " can be added under the heading so that any changes can be made, without disturbing the natural order.

5) Send TWO reminders for the meetings--one a week before and one the week of. It will help get parents who are pressed for time, unorganized, or who need babysitting time to make plans to come.

Seriously, you'd think this was rocket science.

The Prez is a suck-up. She started a sign-up sheet going around before I was done speaking.

Oh! I dodged the secretary bullet, but did volunteer to work with another mom on a "Spring Fling." On May Day '09, we'll have a *party* to celebrate spring and the end of the annual testing. I need 372+ peat pots, dirt to fill 'em, and seeds.

While I am excellent at saying, "No" and meaning it, I am also a glutton for punishment.