Let The PTA or PTO Members Know All About The Fundraiser

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By: Johanna Ableson

PTA and PTO Members Just Don't Get It The First Time. You can never cover the important things too much. For instance, why you are doing your fundraiser will give your parents a good reason to get behind the effort. If it absolutely needs to be communicated do not be afraid to repeat your message over and over. You would be shocked at how little information actually makes it to your PTA or PTO parents consciousness. Following are some tips and tricks to ensure that "the important stuff" gets noticed.

Be specific. If you are kicking off a fundraiser and you know what you're raising the money for, let your parents, teachers, and volunteers know. If you aren't sure what you're going to do with the money yet, tell them what you did last year. If parents and teachers know that they will benefit they will be much more likely to support your sale.

Methods: Take Home Backpack Flyers, There are several things that should always be done in preparation for your fundraiser. One action is to send a letter (take home packet) to parents shortly after school starts telling them about the PTA / PTO fundraising plan. Mention in the letter how you're going to accomplish your money making goals. Mention to them what program or procuts you will be selling. ie catalogs sale, cookie dough sale, car wash, candy sale, smencils etc. Most will feel a sense of ownership in the PTA or PTO plans.

Second, write a letter for your fundraiser that is geared specifically for the parents of your students. In this "cover letter," you will remind the parents what you are raising the money for. This is one more time that you have to make sure the word gets out about your purpose for raising funds.

Methods: Email If you are fortunate enough to be able to use the school's e-mail system to announce your sale. This is a one button operation that give you great coverage with the parents of your school children.

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 In most schools students go home once or twice a week with a "Take Home Pack." This is an excellent opportunity to have the teachers in the school include a note about your fundraiser. Remember that you don't have to include lots of details in this note. These are simply reminders to the parents.

Methods: Signs If placed in strategic positions around the bus lanes and auto que lines, most of the parents will see them everyday. The main thing is that you don't want to simply start a sale and forget about it until "money collection" day.

Place signs in the school with pictures of the prizes to keep the students motivated. Place them in key places where the students will see them daily in common areas. People are very visual and notice things that are different or new in their environment.

Methods: Do a live kick off This is much more motivating to students than a video presentation. They can see how the prizes work and it means that something different happened at school today. When parents ask their children about the day, they will remember this much better than sitting at their desk and seeing someone on a TV screen in their classroom.

Methods: Public Address System Do reminders on the daily announcements. This is a great opportunity to keep students motivated which in turn keeps them selling.

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!

Information about the Author:

AIM Fundraising is a nationwide fundraising company that takes great pride in the fact that most of the schools and groups it works with increase 40-400% over previous year's sales. Go to this link for complete fundraising info.

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