Sunday, October 28, 2012
Parent Volunteers
I have an elementary age classroom. This year, about a dozen parents have expressed an interest in volunteering. I think it is very valuable for parents to be involved in our classroom
for so many reasons and I want to involve as many parents as possible. Scheduling can be a challenge. One parent comes in weekly, so it is easy to plan a routine for her. Other than assisting with the occasional field trip, how have you used parent volunteers who are able to come occasionally but are unable to commit to a regular schedule?
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In my classroom, all of my volunteers are only able to come in occasionally. I usually send out an email to them and give them a list of projects or activiites that I need done. They email back and tell me what days work for them and when they can come in. I also send work home such as cutting/gluing to the parents who want to help but work full time. You can also register through a site called "Sign Up Genius" to help with organizing volunteers. This is a SUPER EASY way to get classroom volunteers organized with little hassle to you (think reading volunteers, classroom parties, etc.). All you have to do is add the description of what you need volunteers for, the dates when you need them and emails of who to include and that's it. You’re finished. Volunteers sign themselves up and Signup Genius emails reminders to the volunteers. I was just recommended to this site by a friend of mine and she says it is amazing! http://www.signupgenius.com/
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteThank you for these excellent tips. I have set up an account on "Sign Up Genius" and I agree with your friend that it is amazing. I have already posted two recurring opportunities. The great thing about this site is that parents can choose to do the activity once or they can do it multiple times on dates that they select. For example, every month I need help getting the Scholastic book order forms prepared to send home with students. I set this up as a volunteer activity that can be done at home near the end of each month. Parents can sign up for one month, alternating months, or every month depending upon their availability. There is space to include instructions so that parents know exactly what they need to do and I also specified an approximate time commitment there. I am going to try it out and will post another comment in a month or two to let everyone know how it is going. It looks promising - a great use of technology to connect with parents!
Rebecca,
DeleteSometimes I think it's okay to not take "advantage" of parent help. What I mean by that is sometimes there isn't enough work to delegate, or sometimes the delegating ends up being more work than the work that you originally have to do. I would say slow and steady wins the race. Incorporate using your own disgression and when it becomes to much simply back the amount of parent help down. Perhaps, I give a different view than most regarding this but a view none the less;)
I think this is a very valid point. It takes an investment of time and energy to use volunteers. I am looking for that balance where I receive valuable assistance and the parents get the satisfaction of being involved.
ReplyDeleteI have to put in another plug for the "Sign Up Genius". I have been using it and it is really cutting down on the time that I would ordinarily have to spend to organize volunteer assignments. I have four parent volunteers coming in the next few weeks. We'll see how it goes.