RUN A PTA – Hotspot


Do’s and don’ts ✗


DON’T feel you need to do everything yourself: if you have willing helpers, delegate jobs.


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inspire others.


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In detail: the AGM


l Let members know when and where the AGM will take place – your constitution will tell you how much notice you need to give


l You’ll welcome everyone and pass on apologies for anyone who couldn’t make it


l Approve the minutes of the previous AGM


l Deliver the chair’s report – unlike the treasurer’s report, this is informal and completely optional


l Invite the treasurer to deliver their formal report, including the opening balance at the start of the previous year, how much money was raised, any costs incurred, a list of what was purchased for the school and the current balance. The PTA then adopts the accounts


l Elections – committee members, including the chair, will usually stand for a year and will need to be re-elected if they wish to remain in position. You will need also to be seconded. Check your PTA’s constitution to find out how this works for your group.


l Any other business – this might include any new guidelines or policies you wish to adopt alongside your current constitution.


Transferrable skills You’re probably already doing parts of the chair role in other areas of your life without knowing it: l If you’re the family’s designated planner and list maker, those skills will come in handy when you need to organise a PTA event l Maybe at work you’re the person who keeps everyone on track during meetings – well congratulations, you’ll be a natural at the AGM l Perhaps you’re approachable and friendly, which will be a bonus when welcoming volunteers l If you have bags of enthusiasm, this will come in handy if anyone’s spirits are flagging – you can remind them why’re doing this in the first place.


pta.co.uk SPRING 2024 21


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DON’T leave it too late to plan what happens when you step down: it’s important to start succession


planning in plenty of time to ensure a smooth handover with your replacement.


DO keep lines of communication open: with members, so they know what you’re dealing with,


and with your school, so they know how hard you’re working for the children.


DON’T be shy about approaching parents regarding recruitment: if you see someone who has the right


skills and you think would be a good fit for any of your roles, have a word with them to sound them out.


DO thank volunteers for giving up their time: everyone likes to know they’re appreciated. They’re


more likely to volunteer again if they know how much their work means to you.


DON’T feel you need to do it forever: it’s easy to think ‘I need to carry on, as the PTA would fold without me’; know when to call it a day.


DO learn to say no: you’re one person and you can’t do everything.


DON’T take criticism personally: people love to complain, whether they didn’t like the snacks offered at


a film night or they’d have preferred a different date for the summer fair, and as chair you’re the obvious target for it. Invite detractors to volunteer their time and contribute in a constructive way.


DO keep up your enthusiasm, even if at times you have to fake it till you make it: your energy will


WORDS: ZOE HILL; IMAGES: DREW DE F FAWKES, CC BY 2.0 <HTTPS://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/ LICENSES/BY/2.0>, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS; SUPAKRITPUMPY/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM


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