Parenting is a difficult, busy job, and modern parents have taken that up to 11. As noted by parenting publication Very Well Family, 46 percent of millennial parents are both in the workforce, but they’re also more child-focused than previous generations. This means not only more family time but more responsibilities overall.
That can get overwhelming.
Small wonder, then, that many parents are hesitant to involve themselves in fundraisers, even if they’re part of your school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Whether or not their perception is accurate, they believe they simply don’t have the time. That they’ve already shouldered enough responsibility by involving themselves so heavily with their child’s schooling.
Your job is to break that association in their mind. Because like it or not, the PTA is a powerful ally when it comes to your fundraising efforts. Whether you’re looking to bring in money for a good cause or simply support your school’s athletics program, the added manpower and expertise of a PTA can make all the difference in the world.
So how exactly can you get the PTA involved?
First, sit down with the PTA and talk to them openly and honestly about what you’re trying to do and why. Make it clear that there are multiple ways to contribute to your fundraising efforts, not all of which require a considerable time commitment. Be as straightforward as possible, and make it clear that if anyone has fundraising ideas of their own, they’ll have the full support of the organization.
Next, you’ll want to check your PTA recruitment efforts. It should be extremely easy for interested parents to get involved in the organization, with fliers regularly posted around the school and contact information published on the school’s website/social feeds. You can even amp up recruitment during particularly busy periods to pull in a bit of extra manpower as-needed.
In broad strokes, you’ll want the following information to be readily available:
- What being part of the PTA involves. What are the core responsibilities, and what roles need to be filled? What are some of the different ways people can be involved?
- A call to action that explains why someone would want to join. This might include networking, being more involved in the lives of their children, and helping the school thrive.
- Contact information for important members of the organization, such as the chair and treasurer. Include photos and bios as necessary.
- Information on the PTA’s current fundraising efforts.
From there, your next step is to start cultivating a community. I’d advise doing this on your school’s website, and including a means for participants to schedule volunteer shifts, communicate with one another, and coordinate their fundraising efforts. You should also provide regular updates through both an email newsletter and social channels.
In addition to providing insights into fundraising progress and milestones, this newsletter should take the time to recognize any exceptionally noteworthy contributions by PTA members and volunteers alike. The key here is to show appreciation for the time everyone is putting in. After all, they’re not getting paid, but rather giving up their time for free.
A school’s PTA is a valuable resource for fundraising no matter how you look at it. And by following the advice above, you can leverage that resource to its fullest. You can get people not just interest in contributing, but passionate about it.
