The Mattapoisett PTA wants to pump up parent participation this year to provide more fun and educational programs for kids and families.

“I think people have a little bit of a stigma about it ­– if you volunteer you have to volunteer for everything,” said Debra Nettles, chair of the PTA’s arts and humanities subcommittee. “To volunteer, you don’t really have to do a lot.”

While not everyone has to volunteer for everything, the PTA could use more helpers, said President Kris Higgins.

In 2013-14, around 120 parents were members of the group, which serves Center School and Old Hammondtown School, but only eight to ten parents actually participated on a regular basis.

Last year, the PTA tried to keep the “fun” in fundraiser with a successful Halloween Party and a Parents Night Out. They also sold coupon gift books for $25 that offered more than $300 in savings as well as friendship bracelets.

The fundraisers paid off and gave families a break when it came to transportation for school trips.

“Last year we were able to pay for all the buses,” said Higgins.

That improves education for all kids as do a list of special educational visits, organized by Nettles.

Storytelling, poetry and interactive science sessions were offered to kids last school year, and there are already a number of fun programs on tap for this year, including a poetry workshop and several programs through the Boston Museum of Science.

Higgins would like to add one or two more events that give kids something safe and entertaining to do. A family movie night may be in the works as well as winter dances for each school.

Plus, said Nettles, the PTA parents are enjoyable to be around. It’s not just another meeting.

“It’s a great group of people, and we’re all just trying to help out kids get everything they can get,” said Nettles.

The PTA meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Center School conference room. Meetings resume October 7. For more information, visit mattapoisettpta.org.