After my last post on why fathers are not involved in the PTA, I want to help explain how the PTA can get more fathers involved. We don’t want fathers to be statue members. Those being members who just sign up and come periodically, if at all, and when they do they just sit quietly and go home without ever involving themselves in what the PTA is doing.
What we want is members who can work together using their strengths to help things run a bit smoother, and be more involved in the school community.
Increasing father involvement in local PTA groups requires a strategic approach that addresses the unique challenges and barriers fathers face.
Here are several practical steps local PTAs can take to engage more fathers:
Varied Meeting Times
Offer meetings at different times, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, to accommodate diverse work schedules.
Our local PTA is doing just that to see how it works for our members.
Now I’m not saying change it up for the few but you could put out a pole to see what time is the best for all members. I know typically they are at night after work. For someone with a full time job I go home and then you have dinner to get ready, try to spend time with the family, just to run back out for a meeting can feel a little much.
Virtual Meetings
Provide online meeting options to make participation easier for fathers who cannot attend in person due to work commitments or other obligations.
For instance it feels impossible for me to go to the meetings. My wife is the treasure so she has to go which leaves me to be the one that stays home to get the kids dinner, baths, and get them to bed. If I could at the very least listen in while I do some of those it’ll allow me to be more involved.
I know there are what they call minutes that are kept for the meeting about what was decided on and by who. A simplified version of after action report that gets sent out to all the members to keep everyone up to date. You can tailor it to the preference of the group. FOr instance a section for the PTA to ask for volunteers at specific events to allow members like me to help where i can would be nice.
Direct Invitations
Send personal invitations to fathers, emphasizing the importance of their involvement and how they can contribute.
Wives can help, not by volunteering their husbands but let the group know if your husband specializes in something that could help the group. That way they can reach out to him and ask him directly for help.
Digital Platforms
Use social media, email, and text messages to reach fathers, as these channels are often more accessible and convenient than traditional flyers.
Let’s be honest flyers are a waste of paper, they get lost, never make it home, or are just forgotten about. Why you use more then one type of outreach is because we are all bombarded with emails so it will get lost in the mix but they are easily searchable. Text messages are almost always read if you know where it’s coming from, and social media is a good way to reach a lot of people in the group and have them help spread the word.
To add to that I strongly suggest to not just send a long typed out message. No one want to read huge amounts of text so utilize visuals, infographics are a huge help here.
Foster a Supportive Culture
Let’s not just throw new members in the deep end but have the seasoned members mentor the new members. Jumping into the PTA can be overwhelming. For starters the new member is probably still newish at parenting or at the very least there youngest is just starting school and the have so much to balance so jumping into this is just one more thing to do and the easiest to quit of just fade to the background. With a mentorship The new members can learn the PTA rules, there will be a better chance the member will stick around, and the friendships you gain with these parents who you will be seeing a lot of just makes everything a little easier.
Welcome Events
Organize events specifically for fathers, such as “Dads and Donuts” or “Father-Child Game Night,” to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Recognition and Appreciation
Publicly acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of fathers to encourage ongoing involvement and demonstrate their value to the PTA.
Educational Workshops
Conduct workshops and discussions on the importance of father involvement in education to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes but to also explain how the PTA works, what it’s good for, or what fun events they could help with this year.
Again a lot of getting fathers involved is showing them why they matter to the PTA.
Highlight Success Stories
Share stories of active fathers in newsletters, on the PTA website, and during meetings to inspire others.
Provide Varied Volunteering Roles
Short-term Commitments
Offer volunteer opportunities that require minimal time commitment, such as helping with specific events or projects.
Skill-Based Roles
Identify and promote volunteer roles that align with fathers’ skills and interests, such as coaching sports, leading science projects, or organizing tech workshops.
Employer Partnerships
Partner with local businesses to encourage flexible work policies that support parental involvement in education.
Corporate Sponsorships
Seek sponsorships from businesses to fund programs that promote father involvement, potentially incentivizing companies to support their employees’ participation.
Family Nights
Host events that involve the whole family, making it easier for fathers to attend alongside their partners and children.
Father-Specific Workshops
Offer workshops on parenting, financial planning, or other topics that may attract fathers and provide value beyond school involvement.
Surveys and Focus Groups
Conduct regular surveys and focus groups with fathers to understand their needs, preferences, and barriers to participation.
Use the feedback to make continuous improvements to PTA activities and engagement strategies.
Father-to-Father Mentorship
Establish a mentorship program where experienced PTA fathers can guide and support new members, making them feel more comfortable and connected.
Leadership Opportunities
Encourage fathers to take on leadership roles within the PTA. Allowing them to have a sense of ownership and responsibility might encourage them to be more involved.
By implementing these strategies, local PTAs can create a more inclusive and engaging environment that encourages greater father participation. The key is to address the specific challenges fathers face and to foster a culture that values and supports their involvement. Increased father participation not only benefits the PTA but also enhances the educational experience for all students, contributing to a stronger, more connected school community.
