Please put me on the email list:
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Thanks so much!

Kathie.... thanks for the input!!! I too would love a copy of that "detailed" volunteer form that you have. We have one that has been used in years past....but I feel that is time to update and refresh it! Any and all ideas are welcome! Thanks! Angela (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Kathie,
If you get this, Thanks for the input. Can you please send me a copy of the volunteer form you have. I would love to see the detailed information on volunteer positions.
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Thanks,
Gracee

Hi-
I just recently found this part of the site, so I hope somone reads this.
i have been in the same boat with all of you for years. No matter what group you are talking about, PTA, PTO, Chorus, church, scouts, etc. it's always the same. The "core" people do the lion's share of the work.
In this era of 2 income (mom and dad) families, and single parent families- it is time to re-think how we ask for volunteers.
I loved the volunteer sheet that was recently e-mailed to me. It spoke to how many hours you can realistically give to the school. Then it was very detailed on ways to help.
I have found that many people are scared off by us (the core people) because they see HOW MANY hours we devote to school and the group, and they don't see how they will have the time to do the same. (The old "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"). The trick is to help EASE them into the group. ("you can only give me an hour? OK can you make some calls for me?")- give them a small job that can be accomplished quickly and easily. When they report they are done, thank them! Include them in the next meeting- before you know it- they will volunteer for another small job. Lots of small jobs add up to BIG HELP!!
Let people know how valuable they are- no matter how little or much they can do!

We're in a similar boat.. but remember it's not the 50's and 60's where parent felt it was a required responsibility to do scouts, youth group, PTA, social clubs. In the this current world.. parents need to be reeducated that "volunteerism" is not always "time needed" but a general responsibility, whether it be a "Hi, how's the (insert project here) going? , telling family, friends, neighbors about school functions, happenings. It can also require time though. Like taking a phone list ( and calling people on it), assisting in the classroom, being on a committee... Unfortunately (or fortunately for some) a lot of the schools out here require parents to do XX hrs of volunteerism (PTA or classroom).

If your school has a parent room/center (We are finishing ours) It seems to help- a base of operations, goings on per se..

And remember "Could you help for an hour..." and "Thanks for your help.." (I'm a naturally talkative person so everyone at school seems to find me to ask about PTA/ school stuff) Be visible and friendly to all (carrying a big stick also works fro me on occassion)

Lastly, use the Dad, Father, Male resource- we've recently done a few Donuts for Dads (free donuts and coffee then hook' em in) and the big thing I get is "we want to help, but dont know who, what, where, when or what TOOLS you need.. (i've also seen put out flyers directly addressed to dads or males- it works better, but as a 38yr old father of 5, I reallly don't mind if it's addressed to mom, dad or family..

Enough from me for now. Good luck hope something I wrote helps

Loved the book idea for logging responses. We can learn alot from our parents. That is an especially useful tool when being attacked as a 'clique'.

We have had a wonderful president for the past 2 years who I have gotten to know well. Like myself, she works full time. She has done an amazing job as president and our bank account shows it. But it's the old adage
'No good deed goes unpunished'.
There has been no end of drama (real and made up) at our school this year and it has taken a heavy toll on her. We spoke yesterday and she is counting the days until she can step down. I told her that she sounded bitter and she agreed. So we will lose a really vital valuable person next year.