Why Do or Don't People Join PTA/PTSA?

My kids are grown now, but I particiapted in the PTSA from the time they were in kindergarten through high school (in one case). Even back then (the late 80s and 90s), the schools were in dire need of everything from toilet paper to volunteers in the classroom. I felt it was important to them, their classmates and the community, that parents be involved. To be honest, I rarely enjoyed the experience. As with almost anything, the same people seemed to be involved and the rest did little to nothing. It was frustrating and yet gave me the opportunity to see what was going on in the schools, to attempt to be a part of the solution and to forge a relationship with principals and teachers which, from time to time, proved important.

Hope this helps.

Warmly,

L.
www.CoachWithLynn.com

Hi L.,
I think many parents are intimidated by the school atmosphere. Recalling situations they had to deal with in school is so much easier when you have to go to meetings in the school library or multi-purpose room. Another theory I have as to why parents don't participate is the increase in two income families. Meetings in the evening are the last things folks want to do after working long hours. I know it would be very difficult for me to attend PTSA meetings and volunteer for committees if I was a working mom. I am a former teacher who knows how difficult it is for teachers to get parents involved, so I participate for two reasons: I want to show my kids that education is important to me, and I have residual teacher guilt ;)

Hi L.,

It is interesting to sit back and look at why parents do or don't participate in in their local PTA or PTSA. I agree with Teri, as I am a former teacher as well. In my experience, it did seem that there were a lot of parents who did not like the school experience at all. It was difficult to get them to a parent/teacher meeting let alone a PTSA meeting. Additionally, with the hectic schedules families have, sports and other activities after school and work, it isn't possible to squeeze another thing into the day.

While my daughters were in school, I was always involved in the PTSA in one form or another because of my belief in teaching by example. I didn't teach at the same school they attended but I was always a member of the PTSA at their school as well as my own. It was difficult for me to hold an office at their school because of the commitments at my school.

Sometimes the parents who do volunteer year after year do so because they have learned the ins and outs and can move between positions easily as members. They may also have a strong feeling for they direction they would like to see the school moving into.

Hi

Well, I am a mom of 5 kids! I have NEVER wanted to be involved in the PTA/PTSA I don't have the time outside of my home for anything more. Not to mention that I have always felt like an outsider when it comes to that kinda thing.

I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah and this may sound hard but this is how I always viewed the PTA members: they always seemed to be the Stuck up Mom's, who were over protective of their children and wanted to do everything possible to be at school with their kids all the time.

Now that being said I think the PTA does some GREAT things for the school. With their fund raisers and the fun carnivals (which I have voluntired for in the past) I guess the answer to why don't I join is 2 reasons. #1 I don't have the time with 5 kids and #2 I just don't feel like I fit into that scene.

Hopefully that helped and didn't seem to "mean" I was just trying to be honest.