A common theme for many PTOs and PTAs is to become a paperless parent teacher group. The route many take is to launch a website to post downloadable flyers pertaining to the groups events and activities. Many also attempt to collect email address so the information can be distributed electronically.
Once the plan is in motion, it quickly becomes apparent that the paper is still piling up. The group has cleared one hurdle by no longer printing mounds of paper. However, the families still need to download the forms, print them, fill them out and submit them to someones mailbox. Paper is still piling up.
Actually, youre not even half paperless.
Youre certainly headed in the right direction by no longer printing reams of paper. However, the paperless concept has not been reached since your families still need to print the forms, provide the information and then mail them in to you.
So how does your parent teacher organization become paperless?
To begin with, your website is the first step to take in becoming paperless. You need to offer a website with pages for your families to fill out instead of paper forms to download. The website needs to be able to collect all of the information you need and it should be able to present this information to you in a report or a spreadsheet.
To use an example, you may want to have new families go to a page on your website where they can enter their name, address and contact information. Once they provide the details and click on the save button the website records it and then presents it to you as you need it.
Did you see how this simple scenario has eliminated many hours of work for your PTO volunteers? Your families key the information into the website. Your website compiles and displays the information of all families with the simple click of a button. With this, your volunteers and your PTO have benefited from the elimination of hours of sorting, collating and filing. And your PTO is on the path to being truly paperless.
It sounds expensive, right? Actually it is very affordable. The Paperless PTO is a web hosting provider that offers a very affordable solution. They have designed a website template that is catered exclusively to parent teacher organizations. The program will guide PTOs, PTAs and all other parent teacher groups on how to be truly paperless. And they will do it at the pace you are comfortable with. The template even includes a fundraising program built into it that will turn a small monthly expense into recurring income for your PTO. Volunteering can be a thankless job. Why not make it easier and why not make it rewarding.
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