| It seems every school requests volunteer hours from parents, whether it’s through a formal system with a specific hours requirement or simply asks for informal volunteering throughout the year. Conflicting priorities and time management can make participating as a volunteer difficult for some, especially those who work full time. But when you plan ahead, choose you volunteer opportunities carefully, and make the most of your participation time, it can be extremely rewarding.Here are some ways you can get a more fulfilling experience from school volunteering. | ||
1. Plan Ahead > Get a list of school activities for the year as soon after school starts as possible. Get the requirements, if any, in writing as well, so you understand the expectations. Then consider all of your options, your typical work and family schedules, and plan out your year. Sign up early so you can stick with the plan that works most strategically for you, and get the assignments that you’ll most enjoy. | ||
2. Partner with a Friend > If you are already friendly with other parents at the school, share parts of your volunteering plan with them, urging those you like to volunteer with you. Having a friend by your side not only makes the time more enjoyable but also helps you feel more at ease, which can attract others to engage in conversations with you. By doing so, you increase the chances of meeting new volunteers and building a good rapport. | ||
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3. Be Positive > Go into each volunteer effort with positive intentions. This is a big one! If you feel put-upon to spend your time, you likely won’t get much out of the experience. But if you go in trying to make a positive difference for the school and maybe make a few friends, you’re much more likely to have a successful and enjoyable experience. Smile and introduce yourself to others when you first arrive and whenever you encounter someone new. If you put positivity out there, you’re much more likely to get it back. Let your positive energy swirl upward in your interactions, not downward. | ||
4. Improve the School > Remember this is for the betterment of the school as a whole, not just your own child. Sometimes you can’t see the immediate effects of your efforts on your child’s school experience. That’s OK. You are making the school a better place, even if only in a small way, and the cumulative effects of a better school will have a positive outcome on your child, too. | ||
5. Build Your Skillset > Use the experience as an opportunity to grow. Volunteerism is a wonderful space for developing new skills. Maybe you’ve always been really good at math, and you like the black and white nature of numbers, but you’ve never done any professional bookkeeping or accounting. In a school with an established PTA, the treasurer duties and procedures are probably very well spelled out already. Serving in that capacity will likely give you a great low-risk introduction to a bookkeeping role and something to put on your resume to boot. | ||
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6. Build Your Network > The acquaintances you meet are more than just potential friends, they can become part of your network. Maybe you meet a fellow mom whose child is into some of the same hobbies as your child. She’d make a great resource for referrals to local afterschool activities like a soccer club or a gymnastics class. Or perhaps you can ask fellow pet owners if anyone has a groomer they love. Your child forgot his science assignment in his locker at school? If you know another parent of a child in the same class, you’ve got someone to text with a polite request to send a pic of the worksheet. The more time you spend with these people, the more referral swaps, info shares, and potential carpool buddies you can call on if you need them. The more you share with others, the more Mom Cred you earn, too. | ||
7. Have a Say > When a PTA group does their planning, the executive board usually makes at least some of their decisions as a group. If they are looking for someplace to have their next restaurant night, it’s easy to recommend your favorite Chinese restaurant. If it’s always bothered you that the Father-Daughter Dance is so specifically gendered, you’ll have an opportunity as a board member to recommend changing the title to The Daughters’ Dance, or The Parent-Child Dance. With the contribution of your time and talents, also comes some opportunities. | ||
8. Show Your Child You Care > Kids may not always tell you, but overall, they love to see you participate in their lives! According to National PTA (the self-titled “oldest and largest child advocacy association in America”), Over 85 research studies have shown that children whose parents got involved in school activities, grades, attendance and test scores all improved. Kids learn from your actions, and seeing you make a positive impact will make them want to do so as well. | ||
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