Communicate!
by Michelle Baker
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1) Be Available to Listen and Learn
Often, we hear that leaders are frustrated and feel alone with a whole lot of work to do. Here in Auburn, you are NOT alone!! You have a dedicated, well-trained, and eager Council who are standing by to support you and your unit. However, we cannot step in unless you invite us. Respond to our emails, flyers, letters, phone messages, website updates, and meeting invitations. We do this all for you.
Often, we hear that leaders are frustrated and feel alone with a whole lot of work to do. Here in Auburn, you are NOT alone!! You have a dedicated, well-trained, and eager Council who are standing by to support you and your unit. However, we cannot step in unless you invite us. Respond to our emails, flyers, letters, phone messages, website updates, and meeting invitations. We do this all for you.
2) Effective Communication is key to a successful PTA.
You need to make sure that your community knows what you are doing, and why. Just as critical, you need to have an open line so that they can respond. I would like to offer just a quick list of ideas that will help you improve your unit's communication:
You need to make sure that your community knows what you are doing, and why. Just as critical, you need to have an open line so that they can respond. I would like to offer just a quick list of ideas that will help you improve your unit's communication:
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Kidmail / Flyers.
Pro: Quick and easy. Potentially gets into every house in your school. (Or at least stuck in the bottom of 400 backpacks until no less than 3 weeks after the event!) Con: One-way communication. Doesn’t always make it home. Not effective for middle/high school. |
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Newsletter.
Pro: Handy piece of communication. Consider looking into selling advertizing space to help defray the cost of printing. Some schools are experimenting with online and email newsletters. Lots of space to share news, thanks, updates, lists of volunteers, contact information. Con: Takes a committee chair with computer skills and a lot of time. One-way communication. |
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Email List-serv (Yahoo group).
Pro: Quick and convenient for internet parents. Two way communication! Con: Must maintain the database of email addresses. |
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Website.
Pro: Very convenient for internet parents. Doesn’t have to be fancy, just informative. Easy to have contact information, calendar of events, and newsletter-like information. Several free website hosts available. Add a “contact us” section linked to your email address to make this a two way communication. Con: Must have a “webmaster” devoted to regular updates. Old news is frustrating and will make your website worthless to parents as a source of information. |
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Blog.
Pro: Gives your leadership a n opportunity to offer up-to-the-minute news and updates to your community. Easy to add to your website. Can be fun for a volunteer who likes to write. Is a two-way communication option if you allow comments. Con: Can be time consuming, need a volunteer who likes to write. Not effective unless a large portion of your community is on line. |
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Phone/email trees-
Pro: this works especially well with Teacher-Unit communication. Have one member of your board works with one grade level at your school. So, for example, the president helps the First Grade teachers with meeting reminders, wish lists, teacher reimbursements, and writing motions. Also works well with just your board of directors. For example, the each executive takes 5 committee chairs and keeps in contact with them regarding meetings times, questions, event assistance etc. Con: tends to break down if the group is too large or if there are not enough dependable volunteers to be the callers. |
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Billboards, sandwich boards, signs.
Pro: Creative and fun for meeting days! Post those kids waving signs in the parent pick up zone to remind them about tonight’s meeting! Interactive if the person waving the sign can answer questions about the event. Con: have to find a volunteer willing to wave a sign. |