How to Generate Parent Interest in Volunteering for an Elementary School

Elementary schools need many parent volunteers to enhance the educational experience of their elementary students. Unfortunately, a small number of parents often wind up doing the vast majority of the volunteer work, even though many other parents might be willing to help. Some parents who work full-time might believe they cannot volunteer because they must be at work during school hours. Other parents simply do not know how or where to get started. Here is how to generate parent interest in volunteering for an elementary school.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Plan a volunteer orientation event at the beginning of the school year. A volunteer orientation breakfast is a good way to get parents to attend, especially if you solicit donations from popular coffee shops. Schedule the event at a convenient time and place for most parents to attend.

2. Generate interest in the volunteer orientation event. Talk about the event enthusiastically with other parents. Send home fliers advertising the event. Run an advertisement in the elementary school's newspaper. Get people talking about the event so that they want to come.

3. Create a volunteer handbook to distribute at the volunteer orientation event. Include every specific task for which parent volunteers are needed in the handbook, including an estimated amount of time necessary to complete each task. By distributing volunteer handbooks, even parents who only drop by the volunteer orientation event for a few moments can leave with all the information they need about volunteering.

4. Distribute a volunteer survey at Open House and at the volunteer orientation event. The survey should include an alphabetized list of specific tasks, such as placing phone calls or tutoring, with checklist boxes next to each option. This enables parents to scan through a list of volunteer needs quickly and indicate which tasks pique their interest.

5. Lead by example. When people see how active you are on the elementary school campus, it encourages others to do the same. Talk about how much you enjoy volunteering at the school so they will become more interested in volunteering, too.

6. Advertise volunteer needs as they arise. Often parents do not volunteer because they are unaware that there is a need. Print articles in the elementary school's newspaper about volunteer needs and post the volunteer needs on the elementary school's website. Also, talk about upcoming events with other parents to generate interest.

7. Hold a volunteer appreciation event at the end of the school year. Saying thank you is a great way to encourage parents to volunteer again.

Tips & Warnings

• Some parents never volunteer at an elementary school because they are never asked. Make sure that all parents are aware they are welcome to volunteer on campus.