Volunteer much?

Parent Cafe
21

<p>I don’t want to sound like I’m undermining the value of parental support for schools and organizations. I think that having parents involved in extremely valuable.</p>

<p>In school, I participated every year in the PTA reflections program, and it required parent volunteers to help coordinate and run the event. We had a hands on science day at school that needed numerous parents. And my school band when on tour that required parent chaperones. These all had direct impacts on the students and directly helped us out.</p>

<p>But it’s not for everyone, and I won’t judge those who don’t.</p>

22

<p>OMG do not get me started on that overpriced crapping paper, on doughnut fundraisers or on being pressured to sell stuff to parents/coworkers/neighbors/random passerby.</p>

<p>I liked buying wreaths & garlands from the school- they had been donated by a family who owned a tree farm & I liked buying gift cards and candles that had been* made by* the kids at an after school art class- but I do not care for 3rd parties making money off of the " guilt" of parents who don’t realize what a small % of money the classrooms will see after their purchases.</p>

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23

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<p>It is very easy to make excuses not to volunteer, isn’t it? Especially if you are willing only to participate in anything that “directly” benefits your own kids.</p>

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<p>I agree that these types of fundraisers can be annoying and not cost effective. But complaining about them is hollow - the point is that you are being asked to donate to the school. You don’t have to buy anything, a check made out directly to the fundraising entity will be gladly accepted.</p>

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<p>And that is what we do.</p>

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<p>I agree that these types of fundraisers can be annoying and not cost effective. But complaining about them is hollow - the point is that you are being asked to donate to the school. You don’t have to buy anything, a check made out directly to the fundraising entity will be gladly accepted.</p>

<p>I totally realize this- you did see that I was chair of the parent group for the all city K-12 school,- so I am somewhat familiar with alternative ways to find money.
:wink:
But oftentimes parents did not all start at the school when their kids were in kindergarten, but came after they had tried other schools that used those type of fundraisers and " missed" them.
I steered them to local businesses that sold expensive wrapping paper & explained why we consolidated our fundraising in the classrooms & the school for everyone’s benefit.
:)</p>

26

<p>emeraldkity,
Imo, your service to your school was exemplary. :)</p>

27

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<p>Parents should participate in activities that benefit their own kid first. If their kid is well taken care of, then they can look to benefit children in general or other people’s kid.</p>

<p>But a single mother of two, working two jobs, has no obligation to help anyones kids but her own.</p>

28

<p>I think that there is a responsibility to contribute when one is able. Our local food bank often receives contributions from former clients who are grateful for the help they received and even more grateful that they are now able to help others.</p>

29

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<p>Regarding schools specifically, there are actually a lot of people who shouldn’t attempt to contribute.</p>

<p>Convicted felons is a good example. Some parents are convicted sex offenders, who have no business volunteering at schools.</p>

<p>Bad role models are another.</p>

<p>And there are other examples. Not every parent is automatically has skills they can contribute. Some are more of a burden than benefit.</p>

30

<p>I meant that in a more general way, not specifically to schools or even to volunteering one’s time.</p>

31

<p>Every parent has something they can contribute. Even convicted sex offenders and bad role models can type up and email school newsletters, solicit donations of water for faculty retreats, and call around to get cheap prices for end-of-year trophies. Of course, they would need to be the type of parents who are willing to put in volunteer hours for the good of the school, and not just their own kid.</p>

32

<p>It is time to turn high school volunteering back to the students, after all its their school- by giving parents all the volunteer jobs- we take away a great opportunity from students, with more students running things, more students feel connected to their school. Today’s students need more real experience and we should reward them with it!</p>

33

<p>Our high school gives community service hours to students who volunteer to help the school.</p>

34

<p>Our high school gives community service hours to students who volunteer to help the school.</p>

<p>Ours doesn’t- generally community service seems more altruistic, if the volunteer doesn’t directly benefit.</p>

<p>I can admit now- that my kids would have preferred a lot less volunteering and a little more parenting. My husband worked long hours- forced overtime & often on swing shift while they were growing up & we didn’t have outside help. I volunteered because it was more structured than being at home & I felt like I accomplished more. :o
There were lots of meetings- in between driving the kids to rehearsals and practices & frozen pizza for dinner.
Yes some of the things at the school probably wouldn’t have gotten done- but we all have limited time & energy & I can’t get back my children’s childhood.</p>

35

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<p>This, I disagree.</p>

<p>Convicted sex offenders have no place volunteering for schools in any capacity. Few parents will disagree with me, and just about no school districts would.</p>

36

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<p>Emeraldkity, yes, I’m really glad you said this.</p>

37

<p>Re: #35 -</p>

<p>Well that’s fine, but I was responding to your statement that “not everyone has the skills to contribute.” Anyone with the will to help can contribute.</p>

38

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<p>Well, if you ask the question, “can I identify some way that any random person could contribute if I gave them a specific task and asked them to do it”, the answer would be yes.</p>

<p>But it’s not as simple as that. For one, a person needs to actually follow through and do what they say. Not everyone has that skill. If you don’t have the natural ability to complete the tasks that you’re given, it’s really hard to contribute any skill.</p>

<p>For two, you have to be around the right people in order to get the volunteer work. Believe it or not, I’ve offered my skills on a volunteer basis numerous times and have never been called back. The only thing that I have found is volunteer opportunities for membership pledge drives and fundraising. (The times I’ve offered have been outside of school.) </p>

<p>I’m not saying that volunteering isn’t important. But it’s about volunteering for the right activity for the right reasons. </p>

<p>It’s also important to recognize that if you’re not a volunteering type person, that’s ok as well. I’d much rather have fewer energetic and dedicated volunteers in my school than have tons of half-hearted and lazy volunteers that didn’t want to be there in the first place.</p>

<p>Finally, I recongize as EmeraldKity said, some volunteer opportunities are created for the parents enjoyment and not necessarily because of significant benefit to children. These are fine and no harm is done, but they don’t necessarily benefit the students either. In my opinion, penny drives, PTA membership drives, and countless fundraisers provide little benefit to kids but provide structure (EmeraldKity’s words) and purpose for parents, typically stay at home moms.</p>

39

<p>People who don’t volunteer are not bad people, nor do they not love their children. In my community, many of the parents are immigrants - they don’t speak English, they often did not finish school themselves, they are unfamiliar with our school system, they work many jobs, and, for some, they are afraid of being identified as “illegal.” They have so many strikes against them. Schools are just lucky if the parents come to a parent/teacher conference (most don’t). Fortunately, the churches in my area have adopted some of our most needy schools - we help with parties, fundraisers, field trips, fun nights, etc. And we patiently encourage parents to get involved. Complaining about being so busy with volunteering is a middle class luxury (and I admit I’ve groused a few times).</p>

40

<p>, I recongize as EmeraldKity said, some volunteer opportunities are created for the parents enjoyment and not necessarily because of significant benefit to children.</p>

<p>babyontheway- I think you may be misunderstanding a bit.
I am on the " spectrum" and while I am a hard worker- multitasking- which seems to be 90% of a parents role, is not my strong suit.</p>

<p>I do believe I made important contributions- it wasn’t more enjoyable than being at home- it was actually at least as stressful and frustrating as dealing with home stuff.</p>

<p>However- at the public school one D attended- there were long standing programs, that originally had been supported by teachers ( whose own children had participated), but that were in danger of being cut- because of principal churn in the district & teachers not having the interest/energy anymore.</p>

<p>I had been working pt time & - pt time school trying to finish my degree- at the time, but because my child ( and others) had learning needs that were not being supported ( IEPs that were written to very minimal standards- for one), I began spending more and more time in the building, helping teachers, helping in the office & the library as well as in the classrooms. I eventually quit both my job & my studies in an attempt to get my D a " good enough education".</p>

<p>I can’t say- I wouldn’t do it again. Although I* have* said, if I had known how much time & energy it was going to take- I would have kept her in private school 10 x over.</p>

<p>Our parent group was not actually a PTA- which gave us more flexibility but less support. We didn’t have many fundraisers- our annual live & silent arts auction ( including pieces from parents who are internationally known- unfortunately it was usually out of my price range), raised the bulk of the money for our extra offerings ( like snow sports, trips to Ashland,Or., to see the Shakespeare festival, to NYC/DC & a marine biology trip to Hawaii). We were able to subsidize any family who needed help with clothing & lessons & equipment for the snow sports.</p>

<p>This was an amazing opportunity-
I saw with my own daughter- who having to be pulled out for " resource" once a day, saw herself as * dumb*, so even though she wasn’t- although she does have learning differences, she tried to disappear in the classroom.</p>

<p>But in 6th grade, her teacher encouraged us to have her take snowboarding lessons. ( she had tried downhill ski lessons the year before- but as many kids " on the spectrum" she couldn’t stand the stiff boots). She was amazing. Her friends had been taking lessons for several years- but she was determined to keep up with them & taking physical risks, has never been as intimidating to her, as raising her hand in class.</p>

<p>Soon, she was on the black diamond runs with everyone else & the confidence she gained on the slopes, was taken back to the classroom- where her peers treated her with new respect. That year was a definite turnaround for her & she continued in the program until she changed schools for high school.</p>

<p>It was held during 5 or 6 fridays throughout a 2-3 month winter period. Students were responsible for work missed- but many teachers went up as well. High school students taught lessons ( through the resort), often times kids who may have been “trouble” at more traditional schools, were able to be successful and very responsible with younger students.
The special programs wouldn’t have happened at all without parent volunteers.</p>