We can adapt and hold
successful events Before 2020, big events were the lifeblood of most PTAs, with Christmas and summer fairs the mainstay of fundraising. At the start of the pandemic, events were mostly geared towards community support, but more recently we’ve seen PTAs adding a fundraising element to help top up dwindling bank balances and fund requests for extra resources and outdoor play equipment. According to our survey, the most
popular new events were virtual and pupil-only events with almost two-thirds of PTAs having held one or both. Workshops, wine tastings and quizzes were popular choices for online events while class-only discos and film afternoons proved relatively easy to hold in bubbles at school. Outdoor family events such as trails and treasure hunts received good feedback and every PTA who had held one would do so again, suggesting it’s fun for participants and a viable fundraiser. ‘We actually find parents donate
more with the QR code than they did when we sold physical trail maps,’ says Charlotte Morris. ‘With so many families in difficulties, it seems more inclusive to ask those who can to give, but to make the event available to everyone.’ With uncertainty over what might
happen during the winter, events that can easily move online or be held outside are looking popular again this year. But don’t pack away the bunting just yet – PTAs we spoke to listed fairs and discos as the events they are most looking forward to holding when large events return.
Online meetings fit
in with busy lives Our results reveal some interesting trends about the future of meetings. We may have joined the PTA to avoid the children’s bedtime routine, but there’s not always enough time in the day to meet up. Over 80% of PTAs have held a meeting online since the start of the pandemic and
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pta.co.uk
EVENT IDEA Hold a wreath making workshop – see p43
almost half of them expect to continue at least some of the time even if there are no social restrictions. Online meetings make
the PTA more efficient and save time, says Melanie Da
Costa of St Anne’s PTA, Banstead, Surrey. ‘All our PTA meetings are now on Zoom, meaning an hour- long meeting is just that – it doesn’t take up the whole evening. Last year’s online AGM was the best attended we’ve ever had, and we also meet with the headteacher online once a term, which works incredibly well for everyone.’ At the beginning, meeting on
Zoom was about making the best of a bad situation,’ says Charlotte Morris. ‘But we had a fundraising plan, and we were committed to it – we couldn’t just walk off into the darkness.’ As time went by, we could see there were benefits: some parents had never been able to make meetings because of childcare issues or timings. Now we can be more flexible. We won’t hold every meeting on Zoom because we’d miss getting together over a glass of wine, but we will use it when we need to get people together at short notice.’
Digital fundraising
is here to stay PTAs engaging with digital fundraising are reaping the rewards. More than a third of you have set up an online donation platform since the start of the pandemic and if your PTA hasn’t, but is thinking about it, you’re in good company – a further 20% have it under consideration. Although most PTAs
are still accepting cash payments, a small but significant 14% told us they expect to be completely online from now on. ‘It’s the biggest change
we’ve made,’ says Melanie DaCosta. ‘Christmas cards, raffle ticket payments and all other transactions will be digital from
‘We had a
fundraising plan, and we were committed to it
– we couldn’t just walk off into the darkness’
Charlotte Morris, Newbridge Primary School PTA, Bath
The majority of our parents are really happy because it means they don’t have to remember cash and what they give outweighs anything we
may have lost.’ Melanie Da Costa, joint chair,
St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, Banstead
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