Plug Into the Power of Volunteers in the Classroom Barbara Dawson & Marilyn Rabinowitz
A Quick Quiz on Volunteering True or False? Women volunteer more than men. True! People from urban areas are more likely to volunteer than people living in rural communities. True or False? Women volunteer more than men. True! True or False? Women volunteer more than men. Women volunteer more than men. True! People from urban areas are more likely to volunteer than people living in rural communities. False!
Quick Quiz True or False? 3. People from the Northeast volunteer more than people from any other region of the country. 3. People from the Northeast volunteer more than people from any other region of the country. False! 3. People from the Northeast volunteer more than people from any other region of the country. False! 4. College students volunteer at a higher rate than any other age group. 3. People from the Northeast volunteer more than people from any other region of the country. False! 4. College students volunteer at a higher rate than any other age group.
Quick Quiz True or False? 5. Baby Boomers are most likely to volunteer in education and youth service organizations. False! 5. Baby Boomers are most likely to volunteer in education and youth service organizations. False! 6. The “Volunteer State” ranks in the top 10 of states with the highest percent of residents that volunteer. 5. Baby Boomers are most likely to volunteer in education and youth service organizations. False! 6. The “Volunteer State” ranks in the top 10 of states with the highest percent of residents that volunteer. 5. Baby Boomers are most likely to volunteer in education and youth service organizations. True or False?
Quick Quiz Memphis ranks 38th of 51 large cities in the percentage of residents that volunteer. Memphis ranks 38th of 51 large cities in the percentage of residents that volunteer. True! Memphis ranks 38th of 51 large cities in the percentage of residents that volunteer. True! 8. The 2010 Independent Sector value of a volunteer hour is $10.52. Memphis ranks 38th of 51 large cities in the percentage of residents that volunteer. True! 8. The 2010 Independent Sector value of a volunteer hour is $10.52. False!
Quick Quiz True or False? True or False? True or False? True or False? Most Memphians volunteer in Education institutions. False! True or False? Most Memphians volunteer in Education institutions. False! Memphians provided 29 million hours of service from 2008-2010 valued at $620 million.* True or False? Most Memphians volunteer in Education institutions. True or False? Most Memphians volunteer in Education institutions. False! Memphians provided 29 million hours of service from 2008-2010 valued at $620 million.* True! *all information compiled from The Corporation for National & Community Service (2008-2010 data)
How volunteers can help you Think big picture – volunteers can help you in a variety of ways One time events On-going support Skills based volunteers
Steps of Attaining a Volunteer 1. Recruiting 2. Training 3. Background Check 4. Placement
See Your School as Others See It What is the first impression of your school? Is the physical environment welcoming? Do written materials include volunteers? Look around at your school as a volunteer or a new parent would.
How do you find new Volunteers? Choose those who are vested in your school Most obvious: parents, relatives, college students, or Adopt-A-School partners Be sure to ask people to volunteer “Bring your friends”
Communication with Volunteers Share contact information For volunteer tutors, set up folders and forms summarizing what was taught Send group emails to your volunteers Periodically ask for feedback
Critical Retention Points The first day The first two weeks to two months Winter break End of the school year If the relationship ends prematurely
Tips for Catching and Keeping Volunteers Five Things That Volunteers Love: 1. A warm welcome 2. An understanding of how their job relates to the overall goal 3. Making their own ideas a reality 4. Directions for the job 5. Encouragement, showing appreciation
Tips for Catching and Keeping Volunteers Five Things That Volunteers Hate: 1. We don’t need you after all… 2. We just need to run to the store… 3. Good luck with that task… 4. Just another hour or so… 5. You are doing it all wrong!!
How to Retain Volunteers Respect their schedules Treat them as colleagues Develop opportunities that matter Remember that volunteering is optional Make sure that you are organized and professional
Surprise Benefits of Having Volunteers! Volunteers can bring other things to your school: FedEx employee who donated an end-of-the-year party to one school for years Furniture and shelving for program Chess club, guitar lessons, PowerPoint classes $25,000 honorarium
Perspective of a Volunteer Lolly Easley is the Adopt-A-School coordinator as well as a one-on-one tutor for Orleans Elementary
“The Heart of a New Volunteer”
Resources: Is Your School Parent-Friendly? downloaded from http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/398 Ten Tips for Classroom Volunteers downloaded from http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/30-10- tips-for-classroom-volunteers Ten Volunteer Management Tips downloaded from http://www.volunteerabroadfree.com/10-volunteer-management-tips.html Top 8 Tips for Working with Baby Boomer Volunteers downloaded from http://nonprofit.about.com/od/volunteers/tp/boomertips.htm Twenty –Five Ways To Catch and Keep Volunteers downloaded from http://www.greatschools.org/improvement/volunteering/577-ways-to-keep-volunteers....