Join the PTO

How to Get Started

A few simple options — take whichever suits you.

Come to a meeting

Meetings are the 1st Monday of the month, and you can sign up for volunteer positions while you are there. Meeting details →

Join the volunteer list

Subscribe to the newsletter and ask to be included in the volunteer database. Subscribe →

Pick a committee

If one of the seven committees below speaks to you, email forestedgepto@gmail.com to take part.

Take a lead or board role

If you want to dive in, stand for a committee lead or a board position. Nominations are in March and votes are in April.

Membership is free, and your participation is always appreciated but never forced. There is no minimum number of volunteer hours for non-board members, so you can choose what works for your own schedule.

Our Committees

Seven committees do most of the PTO’s work. Each has a lead, and each welcomes volunteers who only want to help with a single event.

Staff Appreciation

Goals. Showing FES staff that we recognise and appreciate their contributions and dedication to our students, through appreciation events and perks. Also coordinates the twice-yearly staff potlucks during fall and spring conferences.

What the lead does. Coordinating appreciation events around national staff days and weeks and around conferences, without duplicating the Sunshine Committee’s events (which is not a PTO committee). Also coordinating volunteer contributions, seeking donations from local businesses and parents, and running things on the day.

Fundraising

Goals. Coordinating fundraising events so the PTO can meet each school year’s goals and put its budget towards supporting the school community.

What the lead does. Leading and implementing the PTO’s fundraising: planning and running events and campaigns, coordinating with businesses, getting the necessary approvals, and tracking and reporting results. Works closely with the Communications Committee on marketing and with the Treasurer on evaluating each effort. Also attends PTO meetings and participates in board votes.

Best for: Someone with planning, organisational and communication skills, who can meet deadlines, respond quickly and work well with others.

Care and Share

Goals. Giving back to the wider community through targeted donation collections and give-back events. Past efforts include Oregon Area Food Pantry drives, the Cereal Domino challenge, and Operation Joy.

What the lead does. Managing donation events, outreach to partners, and leading the committee and its volunteers, working closely with Oregon community partners.

NEST — Nature Education and Sustainability Team

Goals. Maximising the nature opportunities around Forest Edge School. Connecting children to nature improves academic achievement, physical health and mental well-being, and shapes future leaders who care for the planet.

What the lead does. Follow the PTO for updates, come to the next meeting to meet the committee lead, or email the PTO to be put in touch.

Events

Goals. Planning family events that build school community and pride — free events open to all families and staff, separate from fundraisers and community give-back, focused on fun and open to everyone. Past events include Back to School night, Game night and the STEAM Fair. Also partners on staff-organised events such as Lift Every Voice and Read during Black History Month.

What the lead does. Coordinating the schedule, gathering approvals, and organising the committee and volunteers. The committee has several established sub-groups and people often run with their own ideas, so the lead oversees across events rather than owning each one end to end.

Communications

Goals. Keeping the community updated about upcoming events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities.

What the lead does. Organising marketing requests, designs and schedules across platforms. Ensures the team and volunteers manage the website, monthly newsletter, social media, flyers and the sandwich board, and keeps the PTO updated on the committee’s needs and last calls for information from other committees.

PTO Promotion

Goals. Promoting the PTO and encouraging attendance and participation.

What the lead does. Informing people about what the PTO is and encouraging participation — sharing past successes, publicising volunteer and committee openings, staffing a table at PTO events to answer questions and help with sign-ups, and running engagement efforts such as meeting prize draws and social meet-ups. Also coordinates the quarterly PTO social events.

Board Positions

Board positions are nominated in March and voted on in April, leaving time to transition and train new members before the end of the fiscal year. Come to a meeting if you are interested in filling one, nominating someone, or voting.

PTO President

The chief executive officer of the PTO, with general supervision of all PTO operations.

Facilitates all monthly meetings and guides the agenda
Hosts quarterly board meetings and oversees the committees
Is the primary contact for FES staff, particularly the Principal
Represents the FES PTO at required meetings and events
Monitors the PTO inbox and responds to inquiries and approvals
Coordinates across all Oregon PTOs to promote collaboration

Supports the mission set out in the bylaws while finding key areas of focus to increase the PTO’s reach and impact. Coordinating across operations means being aware of, and slightly involved in, everything being planned and executed.

PTO Vice President

Helps coordinate work across all of the committees on an as-needed basis, and fulfils the President’s duties in their absence.

Attends monthly PTO meetings and quarterly board meetings
Participates in votes and collaboration with board members

Best for: Someone interested in playing a supporting role to the President and in volunteering. Ideally the VP participates in at least one committee and provides support as needed.

PTO Treasurer

Drafts, maintains and tracks the annual budget.

Manages a monthly reconciliation of contributions and expenses, and updates the PTO at the monthly meeting
Attends quarterly board meetings and participates in votes and collaboration

Best for: A board member may serve at most five consecutive years in this position.

PTO Secretary

Attends all PTO meetings, presents minutes for approval, keeps accurate records, and distributes the minutes to the relevant lists in good time.

Sends out the meeting agenda one week ahead of the meeting — the board creates it collaboratively, but the Secretary starts the process
Attends quarterly board meetings and participates in votes and collaboration

Best for: This person must be detail oriented, timely and organised.

Staff Liaison

Informs and encourages staff participation in PTO activities and perks, and is the point of contact between Forest Edge staff and the PTO.

Collecting Staff Spotlight information
Spreading the word among staff about perks such as the Classroom Fund
Sending staff a PTO update with highlights of the monthly meeting, for them to include in family communications

Best for: Ideally this would be a member of the school staff.