I live in NYS and we have unionized employees at all levels in the schools. Faculty, aides, secretaries, custodians, etc. We are limited in our volunteer activities by union contracts. Volunteers can not perform any job that could be done by a union member. For instance, the Meet the Masters program profiled in the most recent issue-teachers would have to do that program or it could not be done. That would be considered teaching and having a parent volunteer do it would be taking a job away from a teacher.

Now, don't get me wrong. I like unions. they have done wonderful things for the under-valued teachers in our area. And they are never uncooperative. They have provided $ and help when we need it. They provide books and scholarships for the students and do a lot in our community.

But this restriction seems to limit PTO to just a fundraising group. We are viewed as a $ pot and not as a partner by some. How can we get around or work with these restrictions? What has anyone else done in these circumstances? I think the meanless or busywork jobs that we must give our volunteers impacts our ability to get more volunteers. They feel like they are not really doing anything important, so they don't come back and tell their friends not to bother. Suggestions?