I think that is a wonderful solution. Don't get me wrong, there are times when they should pay for events. An example would be basket raffles. If they want tickets, they should have to buy them.
Also, just because a member is working an event, that doesn't always mean the family doesn't pay. When it comes down to our group's Hoe Down Dinner and Dance, the worker is covered. Their family still pays admission (covers the dance) and they pay for their dinners (a family of 4 would pay for 3 members if Mom is working the event). But on something like a carnival, you should really have some kind of perk for the children who have parents working the event. The kids part of the packet might include a couple popcorn/soda tickets as well as a few ride coupons. I think I would probably throw in a hot dog/hamburger ticket as well. You won't get the $5 or $10, but you have the parent all day. And I would tell you that you should put a number on how many hours a volunteer has to work to get the perks. I swear, we've had parents show up on picture day, work 15 minutes and expect their children to get photoed for free. Not on my watch! I always have a time frame. I'm willing to give out perks, but they still have to be earned. I might suggest that you have different perks for different time frames though. You don't want to exclude parents who can only work your event for an hour. It is the people who work an hour here and an hour there who save your butt most of the time...lol...
I've never heard any of our volunteers ask for anything in return for their time. They just don't expect it-they are there for their children's benefit. However, they do get some things just in the flow of things. When our food fundraiser rep comes, he always brings goodies for the office staff, fundraising chair and PTO board. He also makes a point of treating the volunteers who work the distribution day. Scholastic asked us to try a warehouse sale at our school last year. They gave all volunteers who worked a minimum amount of time free books. (By the way, we had no problem getting volunteers to work with this perk!) Also, whenever we do a food event, many of us snack as we set up(it may be our only opportunity to eat!). Most throw some money in the drawer at some point.
As for teachers who work events, we do reward them. I guess we feel that they are giving time to benefit our kids out of their sheer love of teaching and dedication to our children and they don't HAVE to do that. We feed them for free(although many slip money into the drawer)or we make sure to give them a little treat of some kind the next day. I couldn't imagine any of them ASKING for a reward-that's not the kind of people they are and I might be a bit offended by that too.
I like the idea of a volunteer packet with some little coupons or something in there. Might recommend that to our board for the spring carnival since we always struggle to get enough help.
Thanks, it is amazing how simple the solution is when you step back and let someone else give a view point. I think I will propose that each event have a "volunteer packet" which will include information they will need phone #s job description etc and coupons for the event. A free meal or raffle tickets or popcorn and pop that way everyone will know what they are entitled to and when in line they are turning in something in return for food etc. Also the "perk" will be advertised to all members when volunteer sign ups go home and it will not appear to be the board members taking advantage of our position.
THANKS!
I really don't know what kind of answer you are looking for. There are some things you are just naturally going to get out of doing lots of events. Should the child have gotten a free bag of popcorn? Maybe, maybe not. How much time, energy and cash has her parent put into the promotion and was .50 worth not having her to work on the next big thing?
I will tell you this: I have never gone into any event expecting a perk or a freebie. But do they happen? Sure. My children get their picture package for free because I work all day helping photographers and classrooms. Should I turn down the free picture because I'm getting something that every other parent isn't getting? This year, I offered any volunteer who worked more than 10 hours (over a 3 week period) the chance to shop at cost in the Santa Shop. It's a perk for them for showing up each day and doing what I can not do alone. Is it a reward? Sometimes, although no one ever asked for the discount.
I will say that although I see both sides of the coin, and both sides have merit, I have some strong feelings about what the folks working an event should have to pay for after they were the ones who got or made the donations and then worked the event. If I donate the spaghetti, cook the spaghetti, serve the spaghetti and am going to clean up after spaghetti, I sure do not plan on paying to eat the spaghetti...lol... Look at each event differently. Ask yourself how much it should cost your volunteers to work an event.
There is a happy compromise here. You think they should pay, they think they shouldn't. Try discounts for those who work events. I say charge them whatever 'cost' is... but that's me.
I've been invloved with our PTO for the past 4 years. 2 terms as pres. and now as treasurer (I stepped down due to a high risk pregnancy). Our new president and I do not see eye to eye on a few things (she was VP when I had to step down).
It is my understanding that our state dictates many of our rules due to our tax exempt status. For example, I feel that officers must pay the same membership dues etc. as our members. When hosting a picnic or fundraiser dinner officers and their families should pay for their dinner the same as everyone else. At our family picnic our pres. kid wanted a free bag of popcorn while several other children were in line with .50 to pay. I think that sends the wrong message and where do the freebies stop?? What do you all do? I feel that PTO does not owe us anything for the hard work we do. We are volunteers and should not expect freebies. Am I too uptight??
On the same line...We are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner & A Movie - Parent workshop. The dinner is first then a movie for the kids and parents go for grade level workshops to help with homework etc. Our teachers seem to think that they should not have to pay the 4.00 for dinner. I do understand that they are working and not getting paid for the evening. But I have to pay for my family and I will be working and not getting paid. Each teacher receives 200.00 in classroom reimbursements, we provide 1st day of school breakfast, appreciation luncheon & gifts, grade level pruchases up to 250.00 and most money spent is to enhance their work environment - For them to cry about spending 4.00 back to the non-profit organization that supports them so much seems nuts. Anyone out there have the same situation - I feel like telling them that our non-profit status is because we raise funds for education NOT for putting food in teacher's tummies.
