Parents Group

I found an article in our local newspaper that was describing a grandfathers experience when he visited his grandaughters special ed class. He was not happy with what he saw and he said that he realizes that the teachers and aids can only do so much.He wants to start a group of parents to help better educate the children in the special ed classes and he said he would be interested to know if there were any grants for additional staff.
He is holding a meeting for any interested parents to discuss issues any concerns.
I called him because I decied to attend the meeting. I found that I was only the second person who called and I found that the special education person that I have worked closely with for the past five years…. will be there. I don’t want this to start off on the wrong foot…I think this is badly needed.
Has anyone been through starting up a parents group and if so, does anyone have any pointers? Also, the gentleman asked me to invite as many people as I can and I was wondering if anyone had ideas about what type of proffesionals I might want to invite.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Stephanie