found this idea back in a file for volunteers and wanted to share.

start the year with a slogan like:

Volunteering Touches Lives

To encourage more active volunteer participation in the school and children’s learning, create a program whereby every child in the school is represented by a parent, grandparent, or other family or community member at a school or PTA-sponsored event --- at least once during the school year.

Track volunteers' hours through office and classroom sign-in sheets. Then, at the end of each grading period, send home a card and/or a token of appreciation such as a refrigerator magnet or key chain that says "Volunteers touch lives," or some other significant message. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, but the words of appreciation will make an inpact on the recipients.

MightyJo - You hit the nail on the head! It's all in the way you ask. I have been told by local businesses that I have missed my calling and I sould be in sales. I tell them I am just a volunteer mom. I received so much help at an After Class Enrichment program that I turned help down BUT not without asking them to help in another program. We hit the local newspaper with a huge article so apparently I was not the only one who was impressed. I will tell you that I went to my kindergarten teachers and asked them who their power parents were. Each teacher gave me a list of 10 people and after I called all of them, I got 29 helpers and 1 no. Now all I have to do is get people to all of our other programs. I was thinking of sending a survey home and asking them to fill out and return if they are unable to help. If we do not receive a form back then we can assume they wish to help?? Anyone, what do you think? I have learned that you have to personalize your request for help. We have added a publicity person to our board to help get the word out.

We get names for volunteers by asking parents at registration if they would be able to volunteer and leaving us a number we can reach them. I have done as you Jo, and that was THE worst night! I really think the stars were stacked against me!
I really agree with plw about having an actual membership. It maybe the biggest change but I am really fed up with people only showing up when the (past) President tells the press the school's funds are being miss handled. She was wrong, but for 3 meetings we really had alot of parents attend!
I have a meeting with my Principal in the morning and hope this can be something to discuss.
Thanks for the ideas Jo- I've been a member for three years with a 13 month old to go through the same school (oldest is 10) so I am learning!

Actually to rkjohn65 that had originally posted I found that automatically including all parents staff etc... was an admirable thing but I really enjoy "membership". It is not necessarily the money. My goodness, you could charge 50 cents if there is a money problem with membership! I also wonder how PTO's that do not require "joining" aquire the parents contact info. The schools in our district are not allowed to give out any info. Anyway if people "join" you at least know that they are interested in supporting your efforts. Though we only have 190 members everyone is invited to volunteer and to come to all events (and they do!) member or not. I would much rather call people who have joined, to help out with things than to have to cold call people who are members by association.
Anyway, we doubled our membership just by making sure our membership envelopes went out with the first school newsletter with all the rest of the "back to school forms". Such info on the envelope is name, address, phone, student(s) name-homeroom. This year we want to include email addresses and offer updates and announcements via email (a small but useful membership perk). Most parents join automatically but others do and come to the meetings and help make the decisions. A big draw to our meetings is that the principal and assistant always speak.

This is in response to a comment from "Mykidsmom" under a different topic. I'm starting a new string since it makes sense here & I bet others can give good ideas too.

Mykidsmom was referring to difficulty finding volunteers & her lack of success with a phone tree. She said: "After 2 hours of answering machines and hearing "NO", I told the other officers I wish I had those two hours back!"

I have found that the words you use to ask people to help make a HUGE difference. I've learned to ask for specific help rather than asking if they can help at all. (i.e. "We need snacks for the 3rd grade party on _____. Would you like to bring drinks or cookies?") If I offer specific ways they can help, I've found I get a good response. .

I have had very few no's when I ask this way. If I do get a no, I suggest another activity they could help with. Depending on how the conversation goes, if they sound like they really want to help, you can ask them if they have a preference. If you still get a no, ask directly if they want to receive further calls or not.

I've also found that just because someone does not return a call doesn't mean they don't want to help. I try to keep track of the times I call so I can vary it. I have fairly good luck in the mornings or various evening times. Sometimes just about 9:00PM works well because the kids are in bed.

I hope some of these ideas help. Hopefully others will chime in with ideas too.

Jo


[This message has been edited by MightyJo (edited 07-09-2001).]