Post by DarcyLongfellow on Feb 11, 2016 22:03:42 GMT -5
I think a lot of your problems would be solved if you had better communication with potential volunteers. I might not have signed up for something like that at the beginning of the year, but an email asking for volunteers and explaining exactly what was expected would make me much more likely to help out. Maybe include a sign up genius so people can see who they're signing up with -- a lot of times friends might be more willing to do it if they can do it with someone they know.
Our school doesn't have a school directory (only the teacher and the main class parent get contact information for the parents in a class), but the PTO is voluntary, and they are able to email everyone in the PTO and even publish an online directory of all the PTO members. They also have a Facebook page.
I think that having the orientation a few times a year would definitely help too. If someone can't make it on the one day you have the orientation, then they're out of luck (at least for being the lead teacher) for the rest of the year.
IME, soliciting volunteers for specific tasks goes better when you ask people individually rather than via some sort of email blast or flyer. Dads, especially, won't step up unless asked individually even if they might have expertise in this area. When we were looking for merit badge counselors in scouts and activity leaders in cubs, it really helped to know your families and reach out to them as individuals. Like you ask the dad who is a volunteer fireman to get the kids a tour at the station or the mom who is a researcher at Merck if she could teach the scouts Chemistry merit badge. This always went better than saying "Can someone help us with planning an outing?" or "Who wants to be a merit badge counselor?"
Does your school require parent volunteers to have clearances? That's the reason I don't volunteer. It's about $75 for everything they need. That was the only thought I had that hasn't already been mentioned.
my district requires clearances but they have to be through the district and the district only offers chances for these clearance screenings at certain times and ONLY through them which makes it a pain in the ass for working parents :/ that said, I DO volunteer at DD's school only I target events that occur during after school hours where a clearance is not necessary
Does your school require parent volunteers to have clearances? That's the reason I don't volunteer. It's about $75 for everything they need. That was the only thought I had that hasn't already been mentioned.
my district requires clearances but they have to be through the district and the district only offers chances for these clearance screenings at certain times and ONLY through them which makes it a pain in the ass for working parents :/ that said, I DO volunteer at DD's school only I target events that occur during after school hours where a clearance is not necessary
I'm in PA where clearances are now mandatory. Thanks Sandusky. Ours are free if you are a volunteer living 10+ instate.
It has really impacted the willingness of some to sign up.