All too often, I’m hearing from parent group leaders, whether they’re in a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), or Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), that parents are simply not stepping up to fill the critical leadership positions needed to keep their groups running.
What usually happens is a very small, dedicated core of parents ends up doing all of the work.
This leads to a vicious cycle of burnout.
These over-extended volunteers either quit before the end of their term, leaving others in a lurch.
Or they continue their work begrudgingly, counting down the days until their term is over, celebrating the moment their term is done.
It’s a frustrating situation that hurts the schools and communities these parent groups are meant to serve.
I want to talk to you about the real reasons this is happening and, more importantly, what you can do to prevent it and fundamentally change the dynamic within your PTO.
I don’t know that anyone has ever said this so directly, and perhaps many don’t even realize it’s the root cause, but my experience tells me this is what’s going on.
Let’s get into it!
Understanding Core Reasons for Low Volunteerism
There are three fundamental issues that cause parents to hesitate, if not decline the opportunity to be a PTO leader altogether.
Reason #1: Lack of Knowledge
Parents believe they don’t know enough to be successful in the volunteer leadership role.
Think about it: when was the last time you, personally, stepped up for a significant role where you had absolutely no idea what you were supposed to be doing or how to do it?
Probably never, right?
Or maybe you’re that rare, special unicorn who says, “Sure, I’ll give it a try!”
But the reality is, the vast majority of people will not take that leap of faith.
The risk of failure and public embarrassment is simply too high.
There is no PTO school to prepare volunteers for their school parent group role.
Volunteers are largely left on their own to figure it out.
Reason #2: The Fear of Looking Foolish
The fear of looking foolish is a powerful, silent deterrent for so many parents.
It’ stops them from raising their hand to do more with your group.
Because nobody wants to look like a fool.
No one wants to look uninformed, unintelligent, or incompetent in front of peers.
This is a primary reason people hesitate to step up, even if they haven’t consciously processed it.
Reason #3: Lack of Organization
A disorganized or dysfunctional PTO is a red flag for many parents and would be volunteers.
This is one reason why parents aren’t coming to PTO meetings.
I can tell you from personal experience that I am far more likely to get involved with a group that is well-functioning, not a hot mess of dysfunction.
I’m drawn to organizations with clear, effective communication, and where I know I’ll have the support I need.
I am significantly more willing to step into a volunteer position when I know I’ll receive a a comprehensive, organized binder from the previous leader, with a detailed breakdown of job duties, templates, and at least some of the forms they used.
It’s not about getting every single thing I’ll ever need, but it’s about having a strong foundation to build upon.
With that initial support, I know I can take the role and run with it, confident that I won’t be starting from scratch.
Does this ring true for you too?
I bet it does and it’s definitely ringing true for other parents who are reluctant to volunteer as a PTO leader.
The Solution
So what’s the solution to these problems?
It’s pretty straightforward.
The answer is similar for all three reason: educate and equip volunteers with the training !
Volunteers who have access to training and resources designed to support their volunteer role will have what they need to do their jobs.
They’ll also be confident in their role because they won’t have to make it up as they go.
Volunteers will be able to focus on doing the role they signed up for (no more trying to fly the plane as it’s being built).
Here’s the key: you need to start thinking about these resources as a crucial investment for your group’s future.
By providing these tools, you’re not just helping the current leaders; you’re helping your group become more active, more functional, and fundamentally more attractive to other parents.
This positive change will start the moment you implement these resources and will continue.
It’s an investment that pays dividends for years to come.
I’ve developed a myriad of PTO leader kits, including the Organized Leader Bundle.
These kits will benefit you personally by giving you a clear understanding of how to run your group and execute different roles.
Take fundraising, for example.
It’s a massive responsibility.
Unless you have a background in nonprofit development or corporate fundraising, you likely haven’t acquired the specific skills or developed processes needed to raise money for your PTO effectively.
While some entrepreneurial spirit from your Girl Scout or Boy Scout days might help, you generally need more than that.
You need a plan and best practices spelled out so you don’t have more work to do to figure out how to recover from a failed fundraiser.
All PTO volunteers deserve to have training and resources at their fingertips to help them with their role, so if your group needs this level of support, check out what my shop has to offer!
Watch This
Prefer to watch a video about the reasons stopping parents from stepping up as volunteer leaders for school parent groups?
Give it a watch:
Over to You!
If you’re finding that parents aren’t stepping up, then you’ll need to address some core issues, which are probably a combination of parents not having the requisite knowledge, fear of looking foolish or feeling that the PTO itself isn’t organized enough to support them.
No matter the precise reasons, the solution is to get resources and training for your current crop of volunteers and the future leaders of your PTO.
Everyone will enjoy their time as a volunteer more when they have this level of support!
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This isn’t just a resource bank; it’s a comprehensive, all-in-one platform designed to elevate your PTO, Booster Club, and all parent groups.
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Watch your parent groups thrive and your school community flourish.
