Dads' Initiative
Increasing Male Involvement
Educate dads, grandpas, uncles and others on the importance of their involvement. Make parent involvement and PTA relevant to men by connecting it to their children’s success in school and in life. Share with men the many benefits of family engagement.
Plus, inform dads that their involvement in PTA:
- Shows added interest in their children’s education and school activities.
- Shows greater support for their children’s teachers and school.
- Improves relationships between parents and school personnel.
Most male PTA members say they joined PTA to work to improve their schools for the benefit of their children. Tell prospective members that they can do the same.
Emphasize that getting involved in PTA does not necessarily involve a large time commitment. Men may indicate that time is a barrier to their joining PTA. Let them know there are no volunteer requirements when joining, but that their membership will help maximize and support their involvement in their children’s lives. As they discover the value of PTA and their involvement, men will be more likely to volunteer. Start with members to grow volunteers.
Million Hours of Power
To combat historically low male participation in parent involvement groups, National PTA’s MORE (Men Organized to Raise Engagement) Alliance and the National Fatherhood Leaders Group have teamed up to launch A Million Hours of Power, an initiative to inspire 350,000 American men to dedicate three hours of service to the education, health and well-being of children.
Three hours of service—truly a small amount of time to invest—from 350,000 men totals more than 1 million hours of true power to the lives of children, resulting in educational, social and physical benefits to kids across the nation.
“Give a little, change a lot” will be the rallying call to action for the Million Hours of Power grassroots campaign. Research proves that parent involvement leads to student success in school and life. Children perform better in school when both the mother and the father or male role model are both involved in the education of their children.
The Million Hours of Power campaign will encourage men to dedicate three hours of their time to the health, education and well-being of children in their families and communities during the 2010-2011 school year. The hope is that once men see how much reward they get for so little effort, then they will develop greater habits of engagement and responsibility to children and families.
PTA's Men Organized to Raise Engagement (MORE)
Organizations in PTA's Men Organized to Raise Engagement (MORE) alliance are dedicated to raising the level of engagement between children and the important men in their lives. Coalition members of PTA MORE serve as a conduit for greater father and significant male involvement, resulting in positive outcomes and successful relationships for children, parents, schools and communities. PTA MORE helps PTA leaders and units
- Work with schools and communities to provide programs that engage fathers and positive male figures in the educational and social development of children,
- Develop male leaders who work with fathers and male role models to enhance positive male parenting and involvement with youth,
- Act as a resource for families, communities and schools on fatherhood initiatives and issues,
- Increase the visibility and outreach of the quality programming of the coalition members.
Current Coalition Members:
- WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)
- All Pro Dad
- Real Men Cook/Real Men Charities Inc.
- Black Star Project
- National Fatherhood Initiative
- Strong Fathers-Strong Families
- National Partnership for Community Leadership
- National Compadres Network
Dad's Initiative
Dad's Initiative Mission Statement:
Georgia PTA Dad's Initiative mission is to enhance positive relationships between fathers and their children and encourage cooperative parenting by educating, empowering and encouraging fathers to stay actively involved in their children's lives.
Children that are raised with involved, responsible and committed fathers do better in school, life and in work. The Dad's Initiative program works to educate and encourage dads across the state of Georgia to be the best dads they can be!
Dads make a tremendous difference in the lives of their children!
Some dads communicate high expectations, and their children struggle to feel accepted and appreciated because nothing ever quite measures up.
These dads might inadvertently communicate that their love is conditional: "If you keep practicing, maybe next year you'll win first place." They may actually be proud of their children, but they can't express it positively. Somehow, a simple compliment isn't enough. They feel a need always to add a point of instruction. "That was great, son, but next time do this or that." Their children learn that love has strings attached.
Still, expectations can motivate children to reach high achievements. Dad, here are five suggestions for using expectations in a positive way:
First, list the expectations you have for your children in areas like school, sports, behavior, and so on. As objectively as you can, look at each one and ask, "Is this expectation realistic? Is it too easy or too difficult?" Then ask this tough question: "Does my child feel like he has to excel to earn my love?"
Second, dad, communicate your expectations positively. Instead of relaying the message, "You must do this ...," give your child lots of "You can do this" messages.
Third, be aware of your children's strengths, weaknesses, interests and dreams. One of the great dangers of fathering is molding your children into your own image instead of helping them discover who they have been created to be. But a healthy awareness of your children will help you avoid that common fathering mistake.
Fourth, be a reliable model. When you demonstrate the behavior that you expect from your children, the limits and expectations you place on them make more sense. They know that, when you lay out certain rules for them to follow, you also live by that standard.
Finally, love your child no matter what. A child who's appreciated and accepted for who he is -- regardless of his performance -- won't feel pressure, but freedom. He'll have the self-esteem and confidence to excel.
Georgia PTA Dad's Initiative Goals:
- Educate - Fathers, public, social services agencies and professionals
- Empower - Fathers to be involved, committed and responsible
- Encourage - Father-child relationships, cooperative parenting and equality
- Eliminate - Father's absence in children's lives and bias towards fathers
- Expand - Reach out to Fathers in need (low income, minority, incarcerated, isolated) and help father-child interactions/relationships
- Enrich a man's experience as a Dad and the lives of children
Resources
- Ten Ways to Get Men Involved in PTAs
- ABC's of Male Involvement
- PTA MORE - Information about PTA's new coalition to promote greater male involvement in children's intellectual, physical, and social development.