We had this very discussion at our last PTO meeting. We are taking a new approach. We are actually have a roundtable discussion with the board of directors. We are a private school adding 4th grade this year and 5th and 6th in the next 2 year. The roundtable discussion to let parents know what we have to accomplish to add those new grades. We have found alot of people have connections and skills that go way past the point of volunteering. We are going to send out a form asking people to list their skills and hobbies and may we call on them if their skill or hobby is needed to benefit the school. For ex. last year we wanted to put together a movie for the VAIS to become accredited. After talking we found a parent whose hobby is making animated movies. Here we thought we were going to have spend mega $$'s and he was more then happy to volunteer since this was something he liked to do. We feel all of our parents are members of the PTO and most feel since they pay tutition they are doing their part. You have catch 22. The half who always volunteer and the 1/2 who says they never ask me and it's the same group who do everything. After polling some of the later 1/2 they said they would love to help if it's something they feel comfortable doing.

This year we are having room parents who will work with both the teacher and the PTO (room parent can't be on the PTO board). During open house, we are allotting 15 minutes for all the parents to go around and see our different committees and we are having a list for each committee and what can be done from home (cut soup labels, address envelopes for mailings, etc) and what needs to be done at the school (copies for teachers, bulletin boards, etc). This way working parents who feel they can't help will find a way to help. For ex. one mother volunteered to cut soup labels, box tops. She said she sits at little league practice for 30 minutes and feels she is wasting precious time. No reason to go home can't run errands so she said this way she feels she is volunteering for 30 mins 2 times a week.

As I read this post again I realized the sad thing is that not all parents are involved in their child's education in any way, it is truly sad that schools need to "make" parents get involved. that is what is sad...that not every parent chooses to give even five hours in a year. as I look ahead to our year I see that more and more of our regular volunteers are now working and it worries me to see who picks up the slack...

Thought I would jump in on this little "debate".

I do agree that making volunteer hours mandatory in a regular public school is not the most beneficial. I do believe that most families are good hearted and would like to give of their time - but it's just simply not practical in every case.

Our principal has a small card (like a business card) printed up for every family at the school. They are called "punch cards". They have 10 little apples across the bottom. Every family is encouraged to volunteer 10 hours a year at the school. Every time the mom or dad volunteers an hour (however they want to volunteer) - one of the apples is punched out with a special hole puncher kept in the office. Once all 10 apples are punched - there is a small gift given to the parent. Not a big thing - but a token of appreciation.

Now these punch cards are not mandatory that they be finished - but it's a little reminder to the parent - "oh...maybe I could give some time this month" or something like that. Also...every volunteer that gives time during the previous month is recognized in our monthly newsletter. Kids love to see their parents name in writing.

Also, our district gives funds back to the schools for their volunteer hours that are tracked and submitted. I'm sure most districts do this. I think communicating to parents that every volunteer hour equates to money back to the school - they might be more likely to give as well.

oh well...those are some thoughts I had.

I remember at one of the board meetings during the summer, someone said that the wording on the volunteer form sounded as though we were trying to make parents feel guilty. My reply was "well, if it works so be it."

20 hrs. is not too much spread over 180 days. That's how long we our school year is, I do believe that there are family situations that make it hard to fullfill, but surely there is something that can be done on their own schedule.

momof2IL
I am a true believer in mandatory volunteering, however, the biggest problem is "what do you do with those who REFUSE?"

That's definitely something you have to decide up front. My family participates in a neighborhood swim team where volunteering is mandatory. The meets (which are every Saturday from 6am-Noon in June/July) take about 80 volunteers to stage. Every family with a swimmer entered must provide one volunteer for half the meet. The program couldn't exist without volunteers.

I've been the volunteer coordinator for that group, and it's not an easy job. Yes, we cut some slack and work around challenges. One lady was a single mom with an infant and toddler. She didn't have a babysitter and couldn't have the smaller kids out in the sun that long. But she volunteered to bake for the concession stand and make phone calls. We can always find creative alternatives.

For the really hard core ones that dodge all responsibilities... we remind them of the agreement they signed when they joined. If they cannot honor the conditions of the agreement, they can't be in the club. It usually doesn't come to that, but nor is it fair to turn a blind eye and let them skate by while others do their share.

[ 08-02-2005, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]

20 hrs is not much, HEck some of the schools private and public here in CAli require 20-40 per schoool year or your child cant remain in the Magnet or Private school.
Start out by breaking it into minute pieces, explain and then.. CLub 'em over.. I mean inform them if its not mandatory. then THank, Thank.