10 Ways To Be a Community Resource
Try these community-building ideas like planning a service project and helping local businesses.
Plan a Community Service Project
Food, clothing, and school supply drives are simple but meaningful ways to get families involved in helping others in the community.
Plan a Communitywide Event
Put together a public event like a health fair or cultural festival to send the message that yours is a warm and inclusive group (and school).
Strengthen Internal Connections
Hold a virtual “parents night in” or a similar gathering to bring your group closer together. Or rent a local movie theater and show a popular film from the 1980s or 1990s for a night of nostalgia.
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Shop Local
Encourage school families to patronize businesses in your neighborhood. They need the support, and they become great partners for fundraisers and other events.
Be a “First Responder”
It’s difficult to think about tough times, but they do happen. With their resources and spirit of volunteerism, parent groups are well-positioned to offer help and support after a tragedy.
Think Beyond Your Group
Build a network outside your own organization to strengthen the whole community: Reach out to parent group leaders at neighboring schools for help with ideas or volunteer power, and then return the favor.
Welcome New Families
Create a handbook or set up a buddy program to give families new to town a source of information like local pediatricians’ offices, after-school programs, and more.
Offer Educational Events
Find out what parents are concerned about most—Internet safety, saving for college, healthy lifestyles, parenting struggles, etc.—and schedule a webinar or meeting where they can hear from an expert.
Organize Your Information
Make a spot online where parents can easily find important info like the school calendar, meeting minutes, list of officers and committee chairs, recent newsletters, and more.
Post Reminders
Registration deadlines? Early release days? Enrichment sign-ups? Help parents keep track of it all by sharing reminders on social channels and on a shared calendar.
Originally posted in 2016 and updated regularly.
