And that is the other hat we are begining to wear too. We are getting ready to show teachers the Volunteer Builder and how it benifits them (the kindergarten teachers are SOLD!)
Something I think that will really help is being honest with how much time a job will take or how long a volunteer will be needed. I'm learning people just assume you need them all day or hours and hours.
Also I agree, volunteer coordination should be our priority, not the HR gal in the business office!
In our elementary school PTO, fundraisers changed over time. (2 big sales fundraisers allowed, besides events/activities). At first PTO "owned" both sales fundraisers. Then district auditor wanted to school to own one. Later district's philosophy changed and school owned both.
In all situations, the PTO pretty much ran the fundraisers. It was an activity to help the school. Parent volunteers were needed. The PTO was the primary mechanism for volunteer recruitment. Really, whether it was extra help with field trip or staffing a fundraiser, that was how we helped - with volunteers.
As for bookfair, the school always owned it and usually a staff member ran it. But some year's we had a significant role. Every year, we recruited and coordinated the volunteers.
It wasn't a big deal to us. And to be honest, most parents purchasing items don't know the difference. All they know is something's being sold "for the school".
In your case it's obviously more than one or two things. But if the PTO doesn't do this and they recruit their own parent volunteers, won't it likely be the same people active in the PTO?
I'd suggest that if this is something you think you can handle, do it. In my opinion, volunteer coordination is the most important PTO function.
This year the school will not have one person that is incharge of all of the school fundrasiers but hoping the PTO can provide volunteers to chair each one.
We did address Scholastic Bookfair and ready to take on this fundraiser. This was done though out of total discuss for the media assistant and before we knew the school had hired a librarian.
Anyway, we have e-books, Sally Foster, Scrips, and VG cards coming up on the short list.
What on earth am I doing!!!???? Should I ask our members to form a Fundraiser Group with the knowledge all the monies raised is for the school and PTO fundraisers are separate? No, we are not 501 C(3) but we do have simple by-laws that have not been updated. (Really not an issue as we are helping the school and not keeping the funds just filling in what was once a paid position) All items we are working on, just need ideas about providing volunteers for the fundraiser role.
After 10 years we are finally being acknowledged as a PTO, just wish I knew what to do next!! THANK YOU!!!!
