COVER FEATURE – Cost of living
‘When approaching local
companies, avoid cold calling and instead build on past successes’ Nikki Bell
the ones that provide an opportunity for them to come to the school and get stuck in.’ PTAs often work in quite
a transactional way where requests are fulfilled, but there’s no follow-up. Nikki suggests using a simple database to track interactions so that ‘amazing opportunities don’t fall through the gaps. ‘With limited resources, it can
be difficult for a PTA to work to its full potential,’ she says. ‘But even setting up a spreadsheet and then contacting those people with details of your next project can be productive. In that conversation, ask who else they know that might be able to help. If anyone interacts with you in any way, ask them to fill in a form – ideally digitally – and find out some more information about them such as where they work, why they’re supporting you and how they would like to work with you in future.’
Play to your strengths Reduce your workload by improving processes and automating as much as possible. That way, effort can be prioritised where there’s the greatest chance of return. Nikki advises booking meetings for the same time every month – online if that’s what members prefer, setting up to take digital payments online or with a card reader, and using templates to
communicate with parents in an easy-to-read format. She also recommends giving
specific responsibilities to individuals that play to their strengths. For example, if a PTA wants to start applying for grants, there’s a writing style, format and formula for grant applications that will achieve the most success. So the PTA should identify someone with that experience or who wants to learn and make it their responsibility. This person can work closely with the school to identify the potential impact of grants – how they will change things for the school and the pupils. Then they need to complete applications on time, track who they have applied to, find out the outcomes, get feedback and make sure the PTA reports back on the project if and when required.
Upskill your PTA PTAs also need to plan for change as volunteers will inevitably move on as their children leave the school. Alison Body says: ‘PTAs and schools need to consider how to equip individuals tasked with
fundraising and
volunteer management with the appropriate time, skills and knowledge, alongside supporting a wider understanding of fundraising. This doesn’t have to take up time or cost a fortune. At the University of Kent, we’ve developed a free online course specifically aimed at small groups and charities to help them understand the practicalities of fundraising. Courses such as these will get your PTA thinking about ways to move your fundraising forward and how to move beyond the school gates to do that.’ (See Digital Destinations p7.)
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Manage expectations Last year, Owlsmoor Primary School PTA in Sandhurst, Berkshire (560 pupils) raised over £28,000 for outdoor classrooms, but PTA chair Becky Sutton expects things to get tougher as we move into winter. ‘Everyone at school including the committee will be feeling the pinch,’ she says. ‘After last year’s successes, the committee and parents need a less busy year, and
we don’t feel it’s appropriate in the current climate to keep asking for money. We are anticipating people considering second jobs which may impact on time available for volunteering. We need to be cognisant that the school will feel the squeeze and may ask for help funding things they might previously have funded themselves. Planning and managing expectations is key. Once our new headteacher has settled in, we will meet with him to discuss priorities and then decide what the PTA can support.’ ➧ Read Becky’s plans for the year on the following page
pta.co.uk AUTUMN 2022 19
IMAGE: GANNA GALATA/
ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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