Volunteers

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Volunteers

• Julie Brassfield
• and
• Heidi Mitchell

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A note to volunteers

• Volunteering is a rewarding experience. It is
  not only good for our school to have you
  involved, its good for your child to see you
  involved. A strong parent group can accomplish
  many amazing things on a school campus. Just
  remember that a volunteer is someone who gives
  their time freely, never wanting anything in
  return. If your motive is to gain recognition,
  then think twice before you join the group.
•  

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Types of Parent Support Groups

• Informal groups
• Formal Parent Organizations
• Separate corporations
• Financial oversight and audits
• Minutes and procedures

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Fundraising

• A win-win situation
• People like to get involved and see the benefits
  of their actions
• Financial gain for the school

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Get your Group Going!

• Start as soon as possible
• Key volunteers and administrators plan together
• Decide who can and cannot fundraise throughout
  the year
• Allocate money to groups that need financial help

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Creating a Sense of Ownership

• Give volunteers a place to work
• Everyone is responsible for success

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Events for Volunteers

• Formal events photo day, graduation, dances,
  Honors Receptions
• Fun events carnivals, book fairs, Turkey Trot,
  field days
• School support School shirt sales, used uniform
  sales, staff luncheons, ice cream sales, spelling
  bees, geography bees, New Parent Orientation,
  library assistance, Handy Dads
• Fundraising!

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Identify a Fundraising Goal

• Helps to generate more donations
• Keeps all volunteers
  involved and working toward
  the same goal.
• Take your time during
  this step.

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Plan Fundraisers for the Year

• Choose no more than 3 events throughout the year.
• Outside Source
• Community Building Event
• All School Events

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Volunteering Tips

• Communication
• Mission Statement
• Define responsibilities
• Keep meetings on track and interesting
• Ask for help
• Manage volunteers
• Get teachers and staff involved
• Keep things simple
• Less is sometimes more
• Have fun

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Creating a Sense of Teamwork

• Share the big picture and create needs together
• Make a habit of meeting together
• Joint newsletters

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Helping Volunteers Organize

• Maintaining records
• Continuity from one year to the next
• Financial oversight
• Getting input from others
• www.SurveyMonkey.com
• New Parent Orientations
• Recognition say Thank You often

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Volunteer Handbook

• Handbooks outline expectations and provide some
  training. Here are a few suggestions of things
  you might want to include in your handbook.

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Volunteer Handbook

• Declaration of Confidentiality to be signed and
  dated. Example Federal law and the Family
  Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are very
  specific about student privacy, confidentiality,
  and the release of student records. Therefore I,
  ___ (volunteer name) _____ acknowledge that as a
  volunteer working for (school name), under the
  supervision of (school name) employee(s), I may
  encounter information of a personal and or
  confidential nature relating to students,
  employees, patrons, or business dealings of
  (school name). I pledge and guarantee not to put
  (school name) at risk by disclosing any such
  information and will deal with such information
  only on an as needed basis within the scope of my
  work with and for (school name).

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Volunteer Handbook

• Confidentiality guidelines briefly describe
  FERPA and proper handling of student records,
  inter-office memos, release of names and phone
  numbers, etc.
• Fingerprinting policy refer to ASBCS website
  for guidelines.
• Sign In/Sign Out procedures and information about
  identification badges.
• Tobacco and Drug Free Campus policy
• Dress and behavior guidelines

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Volunteer Handbook

• Discipline and Physical contact Volunteers may
  give verbal clues to remind students of school
  rules. Situations which require disciplinary
  action must be turned over to a teacher or staff
  member. Physical discipline is not allowed.
  Volunteers are cautioned about all forms of
  physical contact.
• Accidents - refer students to the health office.
  Volunteers may be asked to fill out an accident
  report form
• Procedures for getting flyers and other
  communications approved and distributed

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Volunteer Handbook

• Special rules for coaches and other volunteers
  who may not be directly supervised
• Fingerprinting and background checks
• Procedures for handling injuries
• Sportsmanship, fair play, and participation
  restrictions (due to grades or behavior)
• Rules for maintaining student contact information
  at all times
• Emergency procedures fire drills, lock down
• Rules for transporting children
• Procedures for children who are not picked up

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Volunteer Handbook

• Questions Answers
• How can I sign up to volunteer?
• Can I bring younger children on campus?
• Where can I store personal belongings while
  volunteering?
• Am I allowed to have lunch with my children?
• Should I volunteer if I feel sick?
• May anyone other than a parent volunteer?
• Can I volunteer anywhere other than the
  classroom?
• If a student needs a ride home, may I help?

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Volunteer Handbook

• Questions and Answers (continued)
• Which restrooms may I use?
• Which telephones may I use?
• May I use the copy machine?
• What if I need to talk to my childs teacher?
• What if someone approaches me with a concern or
  complaint?
• What should I do when I see a student out of
  dress code?

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Volunteer Handbook

• Important Information
• School hours
• Important phone numbers
• THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOL!

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Discussion Time

• Questions? Thoughts?