In recent weeks, the PTA board and a handful of members were talking about the reality that within the next few years, nearly our entire board and some of our most active members would be moving on as they follow their children to High School. Conversation led to ways in which we could bolster membership involvement, including a means to excite members for roles on the PTA Board.
What could explain a membership that shrunk throughout the school year? Are we not doing enough to inform? Are we doing too much? Are we welcoming? Is there any lingering image that only the stay-at-home Mom has time to be involved?
Not exactly. Our board and our most active members are made up of a nurse, a childcare provider, a fisherWOman (who is also a nurse), a manager of a busy medical office, an owner of an 11-year-old cleaning company, a Mom of 4 with a 20+ year career in retail, and two office managers of family businesses. These jobs do allow some flexibility to attend to school and PTA-related business - but the trade-offs include working Holidays, nights and weekends, days that begin in earnest at 6:00am, may or may not end after the kids go to bed, and working with the spouse. (sit with that last factoid for a minute...:)
So what about those vintage PTA records? Before combing through all the minutes and ledgers and fundraising records, one might think yes, things have changed. Both parents work. The world is a busier place. Sports consume the schedule. Gone is the age of Betty Crocker.
But here's the thing. From 1952 to present, the same challenges existed. As well as the positive ways in which the PTA served as a pillar to school and community. As it turns out, men often held at least 50% of the officer roles from the 50's through the early 80's. The primary female membership came later. Also, when Woolwich was a community school, it was common for the Superintendent and School board to attend meetings and work with the PTA on getting information out; anything from building needs, school budget and (ironically) teachers attending meetings to give an "enlightening preview" of the MEA Testing (Maine Education Assessment- 1977).
Another quote from minutes from 1997 "The focus of the meeting was to open communication between the PTC and administration. Why is our group so small? What are the areas we need to focus our attention on?"
A few hours pouring over old documents may not be enough to reach a real conclusion. But it's enough to show us that even though the PTA may have been small with respect to active members, there is evidence of more collaboration between administrators, school board, teachers, town and community. All had a hand in informing parents and enhancing the educational needs of students.
We have decided to make it our primary goal for 2015-2016 to let the entire Woolwich community know that we welcome anyone. From making ourselves more visible, surveying people for what the PTA can do for them, and reconnecting with administrators and teachers.
These are challenging times, but exciting times. We will do our best to continue what we have been doing for the school and for the students, but do want your ideas and your involvement. We need them. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 9. We will have a budget update, and more detail on our May parent night: topic of Cyber Safety. And as always, email us at woolwichptc@yahoo.com. Here's to Spring and a fabulous wrap to 3rd quarter!
