PTA Without Lotteries

I am involved in the PTA at my local junior high school.

Since my eldest son's time, I have been involved for about 10 years now.

I have some fun memories, but when this time of year comes around, I inevitably remember the things that bothered me about the PTA.

When it comes to the worst parts of the PTA, I think the biggest one is definitely deciding committee members by lottery.

Committee members are chosen by lottery to ensure the survival of the PTA organization.

It's unpleasant for those who are chosen by lottery, and actually, it's also incredibly unpleasant for those who have to conduct the lottery.

Even though everyone hates it, it's as if a curse has been cast, and the lottery is held every single year.

I've seen people cry. I've seen people get angry. I've always wondered if there wasn't some way to fix this.

To avoid having to use a lottery, I've tried every trick I could think of, such as reducing the burden and promoting the benefits of the activities, so that candidates would come forward easily.

I've attended the lottery many, many times, and each time I've tried various things, but gradually I realized that there was no more room for improvement. Even if you make improvements, it doesn't solve the fundamental problem. No matter how much you reduce the burden of activities, if there are few candidates, it will naturally end up in a lottery.

If it comes down to a lottery, someone will inevitably be dragged into committee activities against their will.

Because the PTA operates on the premise that there are fixed committees and fixed activities, we have to choose committee members to fill the required number of spots.

Since we have to choose them, if no one volunteers, then of course we have no choice but to force a decision through a lottery.

Because it was taken for granted that if it wasn't decided, a lottery would be held, the process of choosing committee members has been repeated this way, and I couldn't imagine a PTA without a lottery, but...

I thought a change in perspective was needed here.

Instead of a PTA based on fixed quotas, let's start with the people. People who gather and say they can do it will do what they want to do and what they can do. If we change to that style of activity, wouldn't it be possible to avoid forced lotteries?

And so, I
became the PTA president,
declared that I would carry out reforms,
and began moving toward
realizing a PTA without lotteries.

To carry out reforms,
becoming the PTA president
is the quickest way.

In the first year, I drafted a reform plan,
in the second year, I implemented the reforms,
and now,
I am about to enter my third year.

By reviewing activity plans and budgets,
we became able to
“have those who gather do activities within their capacity.”

We also reviewed the contents stipulated in the bylaws,
making it so that we do not have to meet the quota for committee members,
in other words,
we no longer have to hold lotteries.

In this way,
for the first time since I became involved,
a PTA without lotteries was realized.

By appealing that it is not mandatory,
and calling out, “Let’s do activities for the children within our capacity,”
many volunteers gathered without having to draw lots.

I felt that if it is not mandatory,
there are many parents who
want to do something for the children.

This year, my third year as president,
will be my final year involved with this junior high school's PTA.

We should just do what we can with the people who gather.
If no one gathers, we just don't do it.
I am continuing to explore ways to build a system
that allows for such decisions.

I hope that from now on,
no more people will cry or get angry
because of the PTA...

I hope that people can be involved in the PTA with peace of mind,
be involved with the school with peace of mind,
and that a positive cycle will be created
for parents, children, and the school alike...