We joke about the perks of volunteering at events. We all know it's the same handful of parents that do everything. If we are charging for food then yes the volunteers pay for their plate but at the end of the night if there are any leftovers the volunteers get first rights to take home before it's donated somewhere else. We also have the perk of ensuring our families are fed, play first etc because they have had to put up with us while we organize, plan, set up and clean up. If a volunteer is just donating a bake good, decoration etc then yes they pay full price. We are doing this to help raise money for the school and if the parents will only volunteer if they get something for free then they shouldn't do it. For a dinner-auction maybe they can charge the parent volunteer just the cost of the food because even that comes out of the profit especially if they are charging $50/pp and $25 is for food and $25 is profit.

Our old school didnt charge admission to an event for working (that was the price of admission- we would condider it akin to double dipping - work (volunteers do make $18.04 and hour in virtual wages) for free AND pay... EEEWWW) No endentured slave labor here

Now for event that had lets say an art or craft project or food ... if you wanted to make something or eat (usually) you had to work and pay because your getting a product/ perishable also

Not sure about our new school... No free events yet.. They've all been tied to fundraising

Which ever way a group decides.. Volunteers are hard to find... charging may be the way to go or it might alienate your volunteers.. but have a firm policy in place that everyone understands

I was a timekeeper at my oldest childs Jr and HS in my younger days-the scorer and timekeeper Never paid to get in

[ 11-16-2006, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

We very rarely have an event that charges admission. Movie nights were the only ones and frankly there were limited amounts of people working it so we just let them in. Actually it was 2 people, myself and a teacher and we did not pay admission. Mostly because of the hours involved in setting it up and use of equipment such as the portable DVD player loaned for use by a volunteer.
As a general rule, we are so desperate for volunteers that I dont want to alienate ANY of them by charging them a pidly $2 for an event they are working.
As a side note though, we dont charge for admission to the silent auction either. I would rather they bid up the items.

Pals, why would you hate that? I find that so curious. We have never, besides the teachers, had anyone balk at paying an admission fee AND working the event. All schools in our district work the same way. When I do my volunteer work at my son's football or lacrosse games, I also pay to enter and pay for any food that I eat as I work at the concession stand. The only ones who eat for free are EMT's and referees.

No, parents do not submit receipts to the PTO for gas, wear and tear etc. but they can submit invoices for consumable goods like paper,envelopes, stamps etc. One woman tried to get her toner cartridge replaced 2 years ago (she did very little, if any printing) and was told no. I always remind volunteers to keep track of their milage, gas and so on because if you itemize your taxes, you can get a deduction there.

We charge admission for craft fairs and basket auctions, true fundraisers. We also have plenty of free family nights including a huge end of year carnival.

We have one event that this would apply to and I've never wanted to volunteer to help at it because they have always made the volunteers pay. It's a fabulous dinner-auction-dance and it is tons of FUN and I don't want to pay $100 and then have to WORK at it! It only comes once a year and I don't want to miss it. Now, if it were a $5 event, I probably wouldn't complain but not for $100.
PMCW

I'm curious what events are happening that everyone is charging admission to?

I think it all depends on the event, what the person is volunteering (ie: to bring a dish vs. to work an entire event) and like others have said, the ability to determine the value of time vs. whatever funds you're losing.

We personally give our volunteers whatever possible. Free admission, free food (for 1) and sometimes an additional perk (like a free movie rental @ movie night). Our events wouldn't happen without the volunteers and some perks are at an event are a great way to say thank you!

Regardless, expectations or perks should be disclosed from the onset, to avoid misunderstandings.