Last year for the first time we took our volunteers out to dinner. We have a very large school about 1200 kids but we only have about 25 volunteers (sad isn't it). We felt they deserved it they work hard all year helping us take care of all those kids.
Our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was today, and it was very nice. Ours is handled by the school administration and teachers, and this is one thing they won't let the PTO help with. The staff does all the work. They organized a lasgne lunch with all the teachers supplying yummy desserts. Each teacher sent invitations home to all parents who had volunteered in any way during the year. The teachers also tried to remind people as it got closer. They made the timeframe 11:30-1:00 and stressed it was "come and go" so people didn't feel pressured to be there a particular time. Ours was set up in the library, and the staff and teachers ate also. They all greated us warmly upon arrival and there was a short presentation right in the middle when the principal thanked everyone and displayed a certificate that looked like a large check for "One Million Thanks". They had them laid out on the counter in alphabetical order by name for people to pick up as they left. I think they'll be sending them home with kids for the people who couldn't attend.
It was really neat. It was low key in that they weren't counting heads or worrying who was or wasn't coming. We just all relaxed and enjoyed it. (Of course, my table did decide to have an impromptu committee meeting while we eating...)
Our Principal handles this. In our school we have volunteers that are not volunteering through PTO. I believe teachers and staff send out invitations to the appropiate people.
I have lived in several different states and been involved in my children's PTA or PTO at each one. Volunteer appreciation has been done a number of ways. The volunteer breakfast/ceremony thing never seems to get good attendance. Our last school the teacher and his/her students took it upon themselves to make a small gift (like flower seeds and a decorated pot)as a show of appreciation to those parents who have helped. At our present school we were discussing what we should at our last PTO meeting. In general we all felt that time given to volunteer, was basically time taken from our families. We wanted to give something that says thankyou as well a gift that could enable some family time. Some ideas: A chinese food take-out container (can get these cheap) filled with pieces of paper with ideas of how to spend an evening with your family: charades, an art project, board games, watch an old movie together, etc. Simple, easy - and it's all about families.
I agree that the staff and principal should do this. We have ours as a luncheon and works well. I do like the idea of us saying something and a possible gift. Thanks
I agree with momofalltrades- if you group still wants to do something or add to the breakfast, I recieved a pen that says "I'm appreciated" on it. LOVE IT! Or want does the school have at the school store that your group could purchase from the school and give that. . . book bag?. . . school sticker?. . . new volunteer tags (one that goes around the neck instead of a pin on). I would defently work with the school on this one!
