10 Helpful Tips For New PTA/PTO Presidents

You’ve been given the reins and voted your PTA/PTO’s next President—congratulations! Now what? From field trips to school improvements to classroom resources, your school most likely has a huge running list of needs that don’t fit into its annual budget. That’s where your PTA/PTO comes in, filling in those gaps to help your school and students thrive. (Need some fundraising ideas? We can help with that too! Visit: Elementary School Fundraisers)

Getting started can feel like an overwhelming task—especially if you’re new!—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. After years of working with thousands of parent organizations, we’ve learned a thing or two about PTA/PTO President responsibilities and what leads to success. Read on for our top ten tips to hit the ground running and rock your first year as President! 

In this blog, you’ll learn more about: 

• The Purpose of a PTA/PTO
• Maintaining Order Among Volunteers
• What to Do Before Becoming President

1. You CANNOT do it all yourself—even you, “Super-Mom”

Your role as a PTA/PTO president or leader is to guide, encourage, and facilitate — NOT TO DO IT ALL! Sure you might be a Type A, DIY, planning machine but you are still only one person.  Trying to do too much can result in burnout and much less buy-in from others. 

Plus—gathering assistance is actually a sign of strength in a PTO President, not a weakness. Learn about the talents of those around you and build a PTA team with a variety of skills. Building a positive environment that allows your team members to shine will also encourage more participation.

2. Think students first

Have you ever wondered, what is the purpose of the PTA/PTO in schools? The answer is students first. This should be the foundation for EVERYTHING YOU DO as PTA/PTO President. You and the PTA/PTO are there to serve, and true service is not always the easiest, quickest, or least expensive. It can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, but if your heart's in it, and it ultimately benefits the students, it’s likely the right thing to do. Most importantly, your actions as PTA/PTO President should positively impact the lives of the students, staff, and the entire school community.

3. Relationships are your best friend

Getting to know the school staff and PTA/PTO parents is time well spent. Some of your  most creative project ideas can stem from  a casual chat about how the day is going. Then, those ideas evolve into ways the PTA/PTO can help enhance the lives of the students at your school. So, dig into the needs and desires of school leaders (i.e., a problem the principal is facing or things that would simplify the teachers’ daily routines). Bottom line: It’s always valuable to ask teachers, staff, and families, “What’s one thing I can do to make your life easier?”

4. Build relationships with your local community too

Local businesses and organizations love supporting their school system! It’s an opportunity for them to give back to their community and also gain valuable exposure to your families and staff. Sponsorship opportunities such as ad space on a t-shirt or supplying food for an event your hosting can offset your costs while also elevating the experience.

5. Set goals and track your progress 

Remember that running wishlist your school has? Be realistic about what you can accomplish and set goals that can be obtained for the current school year as well as larger goals for down the road. Provide your PTA/PTO members, school, and families with updates so everyone stays informed. 

6. Uphold unity at all cost

Personality differences can occasionally “stir the pot” among PTA/PTO volunteers. It isn’t always one big happy family. When differences arise, resist the temptation to take sides and instead work with resolve to re-align everyone toward the common goal. This is harder than it sounds. It takes careful thought, choice words, and often one-on-one chats. But if you act and speak from your heart, the rewards are immense.

7. Volunteer Coordinating 101: Be specific, NEVER turn down a volunteer, and NEVER forget to say thank you

One common PTA/PTO President responsibility is gathering volunteers. Be specific in describing what you want them to do. Instead of requesting “three people to work on a project,” request, “three people who can cut, trace, and color to create a six-foot-by-eight-foot map of the USA by Friday.” People who volunteer really want to help! LET THEM!

Do you have more volunteers than you really need? (We know — you wish!) Find something for them to do. If they think they are not needed, they may not volunteer the next time. And whether they serve one hour per year or one hour per day, every volunteer is valuable — so let them know it! A warm word of thanks or a brief thank you note means more than you know.

8. Ideally, wear a variety of “hats” before starting

Serving in a variety of roles in the PTA/PTO before becoming President is the perfect training ground. Becoming familiar with the ins and outs of committees and responsibilities will equip you to fulfill your role as PTA/PTO President. It also will give you and others confidence in your leadership ability.And for roles you did not have the opportunity to serve in, don’t be afraid to lean on those with experience around you.

9. Work smarter, not harder

We're not suggesting cutting corners! Seek out tools and processes that help you and your team work more efficiently. This can be taking advantage of technology such as an online fundraising platform or shareable spreadsheets or using an outside fundraising company when you need additional support. If the resources you invest in help you reach the goals you have set, they are a valuable addition. 

10. Let YOUR personality shine through!

You don't have to fill your predecessor’s shoes. You may feel like all eyes are on you sometimes, but no one expects you to be a clone of the previous PTA/PTO President — so stop trying! Remember, there are many ways to accomplish a task. As long as you move towards the shared goal, you can relax, enjoy the ride, relish the friendships, and let YOUR personality shine on the way!

Knock your PTA President duties out of the park!

Stepping into a new role—especially one as big as PTA/PTO President!—can feel like an overwhelming task. Take a deep breath and remember you were chosen for the job because your school and community believe in you. Then, follow these 10 tips and you will be on your way to rocking the school year and reaching those goals you set for yourself. 

Need a little help along the way? For over 20 years, Booster has helped over 7,500 schools profit over $600 million to support their goals and initiatives. We provide a range of fundraising solutions, customizable service levels, and flexible pricing so each school gets the exact amount of support that they need. We would love to help your school too!

Related Posts:

6 Things to Consider Before Joining Your PTA/PTO

3 Ways to Skyrocket Parent Involvement (According to Boosterthon PTA Leaders)