Let The PTA or PTO Members Know All About The Fundraiser

by: JohannaAbleson
Total views: 23 | Word Count: 726

Your PTA or PTO members usually do not "get it" the first time... or two... or three. The reason you are doing the fundraiser is important and should be "shouted from the rooftops" over and over again. You might find it hard to believe how long and loud you have to "get the word out" in order to get even a respectable number of PTA or PTO parents "in the know" on a particular point or event. Following are some guidelines to help you make sure that everyone knows what's up.

Have Specific Goals For Your Fundraiser. It is always better to be raising money for specific items or events than to be raising money "because the PTA or PTO needs it." You will find that if you communicate to the parents and teachers precisely what you are going to do with the money raised, they will be much more willing to participate.

Methods: Take Home Flyers, Several things that should always be done in preparation for your fundraising drive. One action to take is to send a letter out to parents early in the year telling them what fundraisers you will be doing and when. Tell them in the letter what you need funds for and how you're going to accomplish your goal i.e.: catalogs sale, cookie dough sale, car wash, candy sale, smencils etc. They won't feel as though your hands are constantly in their wallets.

The second thing you will want to do is write and attach to your sales brochure a letter to the parents of your students. In this letter you will tell them again why you are doing a fundraising project. You might even take this opportunity to tell them what you spent the money on that was raised in last year's fundraiser.

Methods: E-Mail If your school has a school wide email system or a call out system, use it to announce your sale. This is a great way to let parents know to check their children's backpacks for their selling kits. I can't tell you the number of times people have said that they didn't even know a fundraiser was going on. That is missed opportunity every time it happens.

Methods: Marquee Announce your fundraiser on the school's marquee. Many parents drive to school twice a day and are likely to see it if it is left up for several days before the sale begins.

Methods: Reminders via students Send a note home with the students midway through your sale to remind them about the sale. I recommend sending it home right before a weekend so they can sell over the weekend while with family and friends. It is a good idea to put any special promotions on this note to keep it in their minds.

Methods: Signs Use signs advertising your fundraiser in bus lanes and your pick up and drop off points in the school. Your parents and students will see these every day.

Have signs posted at various locations around the school. This type of promotion is geared mainly to the students, so signs or posters that appeal to students is the best thing to do to get students to look at them and remember.

Methods: Do a live kick off Doing a live presentation will affect your sale positively, especially if the students see or hear things that they don't normally experience in a "standard" assembly. If enough of an impression is made on the minds of the students, they will certainly be sharing that with their parents when they get home.

Methods: PA System Remind students daily via regular morning announcements about the ongoing fundraising drive. This is an excellent opportunity to keep students motivated for the duration of the sale.

Working closely with your fundraising representative is paramount to your success. How you run your sale is literally as important as what you choose to sell. Planning and execution is the key to fundraiser if you want your parents, faculty, and students to support your fundraising drive. Your goal is to raise as much money as possible for your group in the particular sale you are planning. Remember, if you raise all the funds you need in the first fundraiser, you won't have to do a second one!

About the Author

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