As the new school year begins, many parents are preparing for the familiar requests from the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for volunteers and fundraising efforts. After years of navigating school commitments, I’d gladly pay a fee to avoid the constant appeals from the PTO. Fortunately, a savvy PTO at a high school in Alabama has made that possible for parents.
Do I care about my children? Absolutely. Do I want them to enjoy engaging activities throughout the school year? Of course. But do I have the time to volunteer or push fundraisers on family and friends? Not really. The Auburn High School PTO in Alabama has recognized this struggle, and their fundraising letter for the 2018-2019 school year has gained popularity after parent Lisa Carter shared it on social media.
The letter states, “Don’t want to sell anything, bake anything, buy anything, or generally stay away from fundraising? We understand!” It then presents parents with three choices:
- “I still love this school and I’m happy to help, so here’s $15. You can still reach me at ______.”
- “We are so busy (or just lazy) that we wouldn’t respond to any phone calls, emails, or sign-up lists all year; please enjoy my $25 donation.”
- “Here’s $50 or MORE to forget my name & my face and not ask me for anything else all year except to complete this form!”
I’m definitely leaning towards option #3. To be honest, my kids’ school PTO is fantastic and not at all pushy. Their approach is much more laid-back, allowing parents to choose which activities they can manage at the beginning of the year without pressure. But the idea of being able to pay $50 or more to avoid any further fundraising headaches? Sign me up!
In today’s hectic world, numerous parents juggle full-time jobs and countless responsibilities, making it nearly impossible to volunteer at school while still finding time for errands, exercise, and even basic household tasks. Plus, for introverted parents, the thought of striking up conversations with other adults can be daunting. For those quieter parents, paying $50 to sidestep that discomfort sounds like a dream come true.
Lisa Carter mentions that fellow parents are fully on board with the letter crafted by PTO president Mark Thompson, who is also a busy parent. It’s refreshing when the PTO understands the challenges we face. I enjoy supporting my children’s school, but with my packed schedule, I’d much prefer to contribute financially rather than hound relatives for overpriced wrapping paper or whip up brownies for bake sales. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Kudos to the Auburn PTO for this innovative approach, and let’s hope this concept spreads widely so that more parents can choose to be “forgotten.”
In summary, the Auburn High School PTO’s fundraising letter offers parents the option to contribute financially to avoid the traditional fundraising hustle. This creative approach acknowledges the busy lives of parents today while still supporting the school.