The duct tape brought an idea to my mind...Jail and Bail! I wonder if a program could be put together where a child files an "arrest warrant" for their parent and picks a sentence(have lunch with me, work in my classroom for 30 minutes, help at the carnival game booth, etc.)The parent could then be served with the warrant by either delivering in person or having the child deliver it home(imagine the pressure behind that!).
What has worked for me? I know my parents and am willing to ask them personally! Now, that's easy for me at a school with only 160+ (we're growing daily) students, but it has helped our volunteer situation dramatically. The music teacher needed someone to coordinate and make costumes for the Christmas play, so I approached Mrs. X, a new mom, and said "I know you like to sew and would you and some of your friends be willing to ...." and they did it. AND they did a wonderful job. Our marine biology class needed moms who could chaperone...I knew moms who were nurses and could scuba dive...perfect fit. If each of your board members set out to get to know the parents in the school, with luncheons or surveys, and then ask them according to their talents. Some people are not comfortable leading a group, but will bake a batch of cookies. Some are more than willing to run a carnival booth, but hate to serve food. And so on.
Now, as to those people who never volunteer to help in their child's school, I hope they look back some day and realize how much they missed out on. I hope their children continue to bug them about coming up to school and they see in their children's eyes what their presence means to their kids! :cool: But I also know those type of parents will always exist. I try to focus on the ones who are willing to be a part of such a great group!
I know exactly what you're going through because we are about to face the same situation at our school. Our tried and true volunteers are people who have been giving of their time for years, and many of them have children who will be going on to middle school next year, so they will be leaving us (a couple say they will still help us on a limited basis, but in reality they should be spending their time with their children's school(s). So we are in need of some fresh people to take on some of the tasks that will be "unmanned" next year.
In talking with a few of my board members, we have come to the conclusion that, for us, it seems like parents are overwhelmed by membership pitches made at large gatherings (i.e. association meetings prior to back-to-school night, during family nights, etc.). We've gotten the distinct impression that some people are afraid they will be called on all the time, so they figure if they don't say yes in the first place, they won't be "stuck" helping.
So I've decided to interface one-on-one with some selected parents with whom I've connected. My plan is to have a good idea of which jobs can be shared to the point that those I approach can be involved on pretty much as limited a basis as they wish.
This may be more ambitious than it will turn out, but I'm going to try it anyway. All people can do is say no, but if they say yes, we are a few steps further along than we were.
Hi Mom- Ever tried duct tape and a really fast van? [img]smile.gif[/img]
Seriously, when our school put out the membership packets we included a specific volunteer request sheet that lists the activity, when it will take place and the possible time commitments. We get a total of 200+ volunteers combined (school of 800) It's important for the committee chair to make contact soon after they volunteer even if the activity isn't for several months. It shows they have been acknowledged and the personal contact makes them a bit more comfortable with the task.
It seems to work so well that at our annual jog, we had parents wandering around looking for something to do. (we used them of course!)
Good luck and if that doesn't work, I hear they sell duct tape in bulk! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Know that virtually everyone on this site faces the same struggle you do. We're with you.
My suggestion: grab a cup of coffee and really spend some time here. There's a ton of ideas on tbis forum, plus we've been building a pretty extensive database of articles on this topic.
Our editor, Carig Bystrynski, worked up this quick one for our most recent issue. I really liked it.
