Twenty hours is not much for a year as far as a person is concerned (I don't know how to word that effectively). But it sure makes a lot of difference for the school and the kids. A person can get a lot done in 20 hours even if it is just here and there.
One time I put in 70 volunteer hours in the month of October. Which is just two weeks because of Fall Break. I worked alot during that month too and had to stay after several nights. I don't think I will try that again. So I have to agree wholly that 20 hours is not alot. But some people just cannot do that due to work and family situations. In our area many people have to drive 40+ miles to work. Most of which work in factories where they do not have a flexible schedule. But if you are a private, charter, magnate school or whatever then I would think most of the parents would make plans to do so.
Even though you are required to do 20 hours in a school year you can still pick and choose HOW you want to volunteer.
You DO NOT have to join or be a part of the PTO.
You can help in the class, office , lunchroom etc...
Or if there is an event you enjoy helping with (Fall Festival, Jog-a thon etc..)or do it from your home.
You can do an hour here & there, pick & choose who you like to work with , what you like to do or just come have lunch with your child.
It all counts!! It's all Fun!! and It's all appreciated!! 20 hours is REALLY not that MUCH!!
Hmmm. I think I am having flashbacks from this thread. Ah yes, it was a debate a few years ago when I mentioned having a set hours in the volunteer program. I asked that volunteers in the program promise something like 6 hours per month. But you don't have to be in the program to volunteer. The reason for the program was too see who was interested in volunteering so we could get in touch with them when they were needed. The suggested hours was to know who was really volunteering and helped us to recognize volunteers at the end of the year. We had some that just wanted to sign the form and never show up but still wanted to be recognized. Others just go the FRC office and sit and still want to be recognized for their "efforts." Any how the program was a help to me as far as tracking volunteers and getting things done.
I think it was be easier to have mandatory hours at a charter school or private school. It looks like that would be expected. But I don't really know much about those type of schools. We only have public schools in our county right now.
Wow! SEems to be a really touchy subject here. I know at our school (Private) we are forever trying to get volunteers for every event we hold. From our largest, which requires close to 100 volunteers to our smallest. I am a true believer in mandatory volunteering, however, the biggest problem is "what do you do with those who REFUSE?" We don't have a mandatory plan in place because of this. We have however, changed the wording to "require" and have had good results. Nobody is punished if they don't help out, but you would be surprised how many new faces you see. You would also be surprised how many people actually have a great time and want to do more.
As far as the 20 hour per school year, come on guys.......that is NOTHING over the course of a year. Volunteering has such a broad range of duties that even full time working parents can still get involved. It doesn't mean having to take a day off of work or hiring a babysitter. These to me are just excuses! Cutting soup labels, making phone calls, creating flyers, sorting, addressing envelopes, etc. are all things that can be done in your own home, with your kids at your side!!! And these things to me are considered "volunteering". Everybody thinks they have to give up an 8 hour day to do some good, but in fact, 30 minutes here and there is all it takes!! Think about it. We all have a few extra minutes every day.
So......when the new school year starts, maybe you should ask your group leaders if there is anything you could do to help! You would be surprised how much there is to do!! Like we say at our school, "new blood and extra hands are always welcomed and appreciated!"
JHB has a great point that if parents know ahead of time what is required of them then they have that choice. Just wondering what would happen if someone really couldn't do it, would you find things for them to do at home, etc?
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
My children participate in several voluntary activities which require volunteer work (baseball, swim team, Girls Start, even scouting). I've always been told that requirement right up front, and it's my choice whether or not to we accept the condition and join the group.
One of my friends' children attends one of the most sought after public charter schools in our area. That school has a similar requirement (about 20 hours). If I wanted my children to go there, I'd follow the rules just like everyone else. I really don't see a problem with it in a school the family is proactively selecting. As someone else said, it's their choice to attend that school.
