Here are a couple more 1)The Staff questions that we asked before setting up our program 2)The flyer that went home to families to fill out and return!

Lanigan Staff Volunteer Questions

As part of the Parent Involvement Assessment Team, Lanigan School will be developing a School Wide Volunteer program, to be introduced this fall. Parts of this program will include Volunteer Orientation, opportunities, logging of all hours, volunteer recognition and school expectations. As a Staff member we would like you input on what you feel this program should address. What are you concerns?

1-As far as Opportunities, do you see any new areas that you feel volunteers could be used at? _______. If yes please explain________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________

2- Are there certain procedures/rules that you feel should be addressed in the Volunteer Guidelines? ________If yes please explain _______________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3-Any other suggestions?__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________


Thank You for taking the time to address these questions. Your answers will help us develop the most effective volunteer program we can. All completed surveys should be returned to the PALS mailbox.
__________________________________________________
Here is the family one:


Family Opportunities at Lanigan Elementary
2004-2005

Everyone wins when families get involved! Here at Lanigan we have many opportunities for families to be a part of us. Your gift of time is something that will be remembered for years to come.If you are interested please take a few minutes to fill this form out and return to school. Thank You for making our Dreams come
true! Your answers will be matched with staff requests!

Name________________________________
Child's Name___________________Class/Grade_________
Phone Number______________E-mail________________
Best day/times to volunteer_________________________

I am interested in the Following opportunities:
_____Reading with a child
_____Helping 5th Graders with math, and
writing
_____Library
_____Nurses Office
_____Centers (K-3rd)
_____Running Club (Thursdays 3:30-4:15)
_____Art Room (lower grades)
_____Literacy Skills (ex. Sight Words)
_____Guest Speaker __________________________
_____Sharing a Hobby_________________________
_____Pals Events
____Holiday Shop
_____School Store
_____Family Fun Nights
_____Cutting out Classroom Materials
_____Other


________________________________________________

Our program is called the Star Volunteer Program and is all done in Blue, Yellow and white we put our logo on every flyer, it is like a flying star. It adds a touch!

[ 08-02-2005, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: pals ]

Here is some of what I have that we have in our packet, we also do a volunteer profile,District application, Pals Flyer, Flyer that lists places to volunteer at our school. We also send out to staff a questionere and to families a opportunity list to send back.enjoy hope it comes through okay!

Volunteering Guideline Questions

Is there a Place That I Will Need to Sign in to Volunteer?

Yes. You will be greeted at the front desk by the door greeter. You will be asked
to sign in, noting the time and location of your designation. You will be given a name tag
that allows you to your designation. You may be asked to check in at main office as well.
Please remember that this requirement is asked of ALL guests of Lanigan School. We
also as that as you exit the building you also sign out.

If I am in the school volunteering, can I visit my child’s classroom?

We ask that unless prior plans are in place with the classroom teacher that you
please refrain from doing so. Students tend to get a little excited and disrupted by a
“surprise” visitor.

I have younger children, may I bring them with me to volunteer?

We ask that in order for you to fully enjoy your volunteering experience that you
refrain from bringing younger siblings with you, any classroom activities are special for
only the children in the classroom.

If I am in a classroom setting and feel that I am having a conflict with a student or
teacher, what should I do?

Problems with students should be reported to the teacher. Any problem with staff
should be talked out with the person in conflict with. If you still feel that it is not
resolved, feel free to contact the principal.

What should I do if I come to volunteer and the event or classroom doesn’t really
need me?

Scheduling volunteers are very hard for events, to assure that events run smoothly
we try to have at least three volunteers on hand at all times. There is no way that we can
see the future on whether the event will be busy or not. If you find that you do not feel
needed you may ask to leave or stick around and talk with other volunteers !! If you want
stop in the library and offer to work there!

If I am schedule to Volunteer at an event and can’t make it what should I do?

If you are unable to make your slot please call as soon as possible and leave a
message with the office or event chairperson. Every hour counts and so we will need to
replace your slot.

As a Volunteer what are the expectations I am expected to follow?

Volunteering can be a very rewarding opportunity but please remember you are a
role model in our school. We ask that you follow school procedures that are in the school
handbook and that you also follow the four expectations of Lanigan School:
-Be Responsible
-Be Respectful
-Be a Problem Solver
-Be Safe

If I am working with students , what should I do if I hear something about a
Friend’s child?

As a volunteer, you need to be discreet and keep information about students you
work with confidential. Do not discuss a student’s abilities with anyone except their
teacher.
________________________________________________
Here is our "code of Conduct"

Volunteer Expectations

As a volunteer, I realize that I am subject to a code ethics similar to that in place for the staff at Lanigan Elementary School.
Like a staff member, I assume certain responsibilities and expect to account for what I do and how I do it. I believe that my attitude should be professional and positive around all students.
I will only agree to help at my level of capability. Knowing that people are depending on my commitment and willingness to volunteer.
I agree to be open- minded, trained if need be, and willing to learn. I realize that I am looked at as a mentor.
Lastly, I agree to keep any confidential material that I become aware of to myself. With any concerns affecting a child's welfare or safety, I will address to the professional in charge.

__________________________________________________
"Volunteering....
Where Dreams
Take Flight!"

General Volunteer guidelines. Volunteering can be a rewarding experience.Research shows that schools with strong volunteer programs have higher test scores, student achievement is
greater and family involvement is higher. The contribution that you give as a volunteer allows our school so many new opportunities. As a volunteer you are looked up to and considered a mentor. We ask that while contributing your time you please follow our guidelines. Guidelines and rules are put into place for our school's safety
and the every day changes that occur in society . Some schools no longer allow volunteers, so we can actually consider ourselves one of the lucky few!

*Follow and Support the policies and rules of the Fulton City School District and James E. Lanigan School.

*Remember the four expectations of Lanigan School:
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be a Problem Solver
Be Safe

*Questions and or concerns about students,policy, or practice should be directed to the teacher or principal

*Attend strictly to the duties for which you volunteered and the area in which you are suppose to be.

*Your own children are not to accompany you while you volunteer during the day. There are many family oriented events to which you will be
able to bring younger siblings .

*If you are unable to attend please notify the school or event chair.

*Expect students to treat you with respect, any problems should be reported to a staff member.

*Respect and maintain the confidentiality of matters that occur within the
school. You may be told things by a student that don't seem right. We ask that you please realy anyimportant information to the child's teacher
or school principal.
.
*Dress and Grooming should comply with the Fulton School District Code of Conduct.

[ 08-02-2005, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: pals ]

That's what I love about this Forum - the way everyone shares info and keeps in touch. I'm more of a PTO alumni now, but those years when I was in a leadership role were much more productive (and bearable!) due to this group.

If you find yours, please post it. It's always nice to have choices and see what others have done.

JHb it is funny that you posted that, a year when I was looking to do our volunteer program you posted it for me to see, it is actually where we got alot of stuff, change the wording a bit, made it a little more simple. I have a new computer and the programs got messed up when we transfered them so I am still looking!!

The following may be useful to you. Unfortunately, I can't offer proper credit as two very simlar versions were shared with me a few years ago (and I don't remember who sent them.) You may not want to use this exact list, but it has some good starting points.

General Volunteer Guidelines
</font>

• Follow and support the policies and rules of the school.</font>
• Respect and maintain the confidentiality of matters that occur within the school.</font>
• Questions and/or concerns regarding students, policy, or practice should follow the chain of command, beginning at the lowest level. Teacher, Principal, Director of Elementary Education, Superintendent, School Board.</font>
• Expect children to treat you with respect. Students who are disrespectful or disobey a school rule should be reported to the person in charge, whether it be the teacher or principal.</font>
• Attend strictly to the duties for which you have volunteered and the area to which you are assigned. Do not use this time to monitor your child's class or inquire about his/her progress.</font>
• Only volunteers with a current background clearance are permitted to work with children on a one-to-one basis.</font>
• Volunteers should use a workspace other than the faculty room. Teachers use the faculty room to plan, discuss confidential matters and reenergize.</font>
• Your own children are not to accompany you while you volunteer. Should there be a special circumstance, permission from the building principal is required.</font>
• Dress and grooming should be suitable for the public school setting.</font>
• If you are unable to attend a scheduled day, contact the school so those involved won't worry about you. It will also allow time to develop an alternative strategy.</font>
• Volunteers, who are unable or unwilling to follow these guidelines and those additional guidelines that may be established for a particular building or classroom, will be asked to discontinue their volunteer service.</font>

Working Successfully with Children
</font>

• Speak in a quiet, calm manner. Children tend to copy the style of the adult leader.</font>
• Use a positive approach to motivate, redirect, etc.</font>
• Negative actions tend to result in more negative behavior.</font>
• Children who refuse to cooperate should be referred to the professional in charge.</font>
• While in school, ask the children to refer to you as Mr., Mrs., Miss. This will help eliminate confusion for most children.</font>
• Refrain from asking children questions about their home life. However, should a child tell you something that may need follow-up, inform the professional in charge at a time when there is privacy.</font>
• Be an appropriate role model at all times.</font>
• Children should not be given items to eat/drink, unless it is directed by the professional in charge.</font>

Volunteer Code of Ethics
</font>

• As a volunteer, I realize that I am subject to a code of ethics similar to that which binds the professionals in the field in which I work. Like them, I assume certain responsibilities and expect to account for what I do in terms of what I am expected to do. I will keep confidential matters confidential. I interpret "volunteer" to mean that I have agreed to work without compensation in money or favor.</font>
• I promise to take to my work an attitude of open-mindedness; to be willing to be trained for it; to bring to it interest and attention. I realize that I may have assets that my co-workers may not have and that I should use these to enrich the students for whom we are working together. I realize also that I may lack assets that my co-workers have, but I will not let this make me feel inadequate, but will endeavor to assist in developing good teamwork.</font>
• I plan to find out how I can best serve the students and to offer as much as I am sure I can give, but no more. I realize that I must live up to any promises and, therefore, will be careful that my agreement is so simple and clear that I cannot be misunderstood.</font>
• I believe that my attitude should be professional. I believe that I have an obligation to my work, to those who direct it, to my colleagues, to those for whom it is done and to the public.</font>
• Being eager to contribute all that I can to the betterment of all children, I accept this code for volunteers as my code to be followed.</font>

pals,
can you paste your code of ethics for volunteers in this space so that all can view it?

Thanks