Items to Consider

• Take a close look at your PTA’s capacity before deciding which or how many events to host. You can plan just one event or host a series of events over the course of a week or the month.
• Be open and creative about the timing of your events. Consider whether a breakfast, daytime, or weekend event might allow more people to attend than something scheduled in the evening.

Think strategically about the events that you plan and what their long-term effect on your school community might be:

• A family 5k walk might get your community interested in creating a walking club.
• The winning recipes from a healthy recipe contest could be compiled into a cookbook that could be sold to raise money for future wellness programs.
• Turning off the school’s vending machines for a day could launch a campaign to remove junk food from the school grounds.

During the event

• Take pictures, and provide a comment book in which attendees can write down their thoughts. Photos and stories can be extremely useful in discussions with community leaders.
• Set up a membership table. Community events are a great way to illustrate the value of becoming a PTA member. Don’t forget to let community members and extended family members know that they don’t have to have a child attending your school to support your PTA with their membership.
• Have a sign-up sheet for parents and other community members who would like to help with future PTA Healthy Lifestyles programs.
• Find those passionate volunteers who will become your next champions for schoolwide change.
• Make a point to introduce yourself to every community leader in attendance. If you have a particular issue that you would like to discuss with them, let them know that you will be calling their office to schedule an appointment shortly. Don’t corner them for a conversation at the event.

After the event

• Send a survey to parents to collect their feedback and suggestions. Carefully analyze the survey responses and use that information in planning your next event.
• Follow up with community leaders who attended your event. If possible, send them a picture of their family at the event, along with a thank-you note for their support of your PTA.
• Send a thank-you note to parents who attended, especially the new members you recruited. Let them know that you appreciate their support, as well as their recognition of the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Evaluate your relationships with partner organizations. Would you like to work with those organizations again? On what other projects could your organizations partner? Are there members of those organizations that you would like to recruit to join your PTA?
• Submit a press release to the local media that talks about your accomplishments and your future plans.