Actually Tim is right...I spent a TON of time working the stuff up...and if you are doing this for the first time I'd consider the tools offered here. If we had not created things so similar I'd definitely be doing it that way....d
We used to keep it all in Excel with one line/row for each volunteer. Each column contained data. So contact fields like address, phone number, email address. But then more columns for each activity: General Help, Spring Fling, Breakfast (for Breakfast with Santa) , Bookfair. We just created as many columns as we needed plus one for notes.
If you haven't checked out the autofilter, feature - do. It's very handy. Select the Data Menu, then Filter, the Autofilter. (Do it again to turn off.) It puts a drop down arrow/menu on each column. So, for instance, you can select the Bookfair field and click on the arrow and choose every line that is "Y" or not blank or whatever and it shows ONLY those.
If you use excell and have the same key word for each committee (but none starting with the same letter) you should be able to sort the sheet based on the key word (alphabetically) when you need it. If you are unfamiliar with excell...check with someone who understands it for help and put the committees in a column...or 2 or three...d
I have a list of people from the them list that we sent out at the begining of the year, with name email addy students phone # and events they are willing to help with, I am looking for a program to keep all the info in one place.
Usually when I need volunteers, I send out a note home with all the students asking for volunteers. With the book fair, I list all available times and days so parents can check off which would work with their schedules. For Family Fun Nights, I also send home a note with all students asking for volunteers and ask how many 1/2 hr. shifts can can do. Usually there are 4 shifts. Sometimes I have to send out a second round of volunteer letters because more are needed.
