The scrapes of dealing with over worked and cranky volunteers have to be a factor in keeping some people away. I'm not excusing snapping at people, but it's not enough to keep me away. But it is for a lot of people.
Having clear procedures, chain of discision making and purpose for each event alleviates a lot of that tension.
I started another thread on student volunteers too. It's an off shoot of this thread. Please look at that one too.
My Parents didn't volunteer when I was growing up. They would support us kids at sporting events or band, but to help/work they didn't do that.
I volunteer, because these are my children's best years of their lives. I want them to look back and see that I was interested in what they did and I was there for them.
I volunteer in school, because I feel some kids don't have the opportunities that other kids have. For an example, If we can do a free event and even if one kid comes to it, I feel it is a success. I love seeing the kids smile when They see some of us volunteers and I don't think we give them credit. They see what volunteers do for there school and for them.
I think some Parents don't volunteer, because they are sacred that if they volunteer once. They are stuck to do it everytime. (Even thou We know they are not) Some don't because They think it is just a bunch of women sitting around gossiping. Some just doesn't have the time with everything else in their lives.
My husband say it's all politics, don't get involved. When something happens (being put down as a group,ungratefulness,complaints), I always get the famous "I told you so!" I have a friend that says she won't join because she hears what people (Parents and Staff) says about volunteers and she doesn't want her name involved with that.
I hear "Don't put me in charge, but I will help," and "I like to work behind the scenes" a lot. I think you're right - no one is comfortable being in charge.
I understand that well. That's why we didn't have a chairman fot the last auction. No one else stepped forward, but this was my very first volunteer position at the school, so I wouldn't let them name me as the chairman. (I ended up being default chairman a lot.)
Also, I like the idea of teaching the kids to volunteer. Now that you mention it, I have noticed that the die-hards are lifetime volunteers. They will always be working on something.
We are "officially" a PTSA. Maybe we could do more with the kids. I think making an effort to include them and planning ahead for what they can help with would be key.
I like where this is going. Please, does anyone else have any thoughts? Or more to add?
Probably the #1 reason a lot of people don't do it is that they aren't asked. And by "asked," I mean calling them on the phone and asking them to do something specific, or asking in person. Mass emails and articles asking for volunteers in the newsletter don't count. It's really rare that I get turned down when I make a specific personal ask.
But I'll also echo the comments of C.Brooks about people not wanting to be in charge. I do run into that alot. And, frankly, I don't push it anymore. With a new school this year, we were able to talk a pretty good number of people into being in charge of things who had never done that before, and we didn't get very good results from that. Only one of the committee chairs in that situation really ended up pulling through; the others needed way, way too much guidance, and if they didn't get it, stuff just didn't get done. I think people know their limits; if they don't want to do one thing, I try to find something that better matches their talents/interests.
And as Serendipity said, I also think how you were raised makes a big difference. I just had a conversation two nights ago with a volunteer who said the same thing--her family always volunteered, and she always tries to. But her husband grew up in a different environment, and he can't understand why in the world she would want to volunteer! One of the reasons one of my goals next year is to help find more ways to make the kids in school aware of volunteering opportunities....
Unfortunately there are people who will only do anything for recognition. My biggest thing is that people are waiting to be ask, then instructed. They like to know there is someone in charge that is not them that can tell them what steps to take in an event. One of my closest friends and one of my best volunteers was just great as long as you didn't tell her she was in charge. Some people are not at comfortable handling money. Another volunteer I had for events would do any leg work you wanted her to, but she wanted no part of money because she was afraid she would mess up. I've had several to tell me they didn't like asking for donations. Those are my experiences.
This is a great question and I want to comment and add a question....
First, just last week, the father of a child in my daughters grade commented to me about a discussion he and his wife just had. She had just quit her job to stay home with her kids. He had asked her if this meant she would get involved in the school now. Beleive it or not, she told him, no way. She said she can't for the life of her figure out why those of us who do it, do it and that she thinks we must be insane. She also feels that since people like me do what we do that there is certainly no need for her to do it, becuase others are basically doing it for her.
Now for my question...I am wondering if most people who do volunteer were raised by parents who volunteered and in some sense were you raised that way? Both my parents volunteered. My dad coached girls softball and my mom did Girl Scouts and PTO. All of the people who I know that volunteer were also raised by parents who volunteered. So I am wondering if this makes some difference?
