Boosting Parent ParticipationFacilitator:

Karen Bantuveris, Founder & CEO@VolunteerSpot

@VSpotMom

@TXStatePTA#TXSLS13

#TXSLS13

What are your biggest Parent Participation pain points?

OUCH!

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

Groups of 3‐5    

2 minutes 

#TXSLS13

Q: Why Parent Participation?

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#TXSLS13

Involvement Improves Student Performance &Builds Commitment…

to our Schools, Communities and ALL our Children!

Q: Why Parent Participation?

#TXSLS13

Journey of a VolunteerThanks to Chris Jarvis, @RealizedWorth

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

Work schedule most often gets in the way

Please select the following reasons that describe why you do not volunteer more at school. Please select all that apply.

73%

21%

14%

13%

4%

3%

3%

2%

1%

Work schedule conflicts

Too busy

Never asked to volunteer

Caring for others during the day

Poor communication‐ too many emails, etc.

Teacher doesn't welcome volunteers

School doesn't welcome volunteers

School as too many volunteers

Conflicts with parent group or room parent

n=188

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

Teachers have difficulty with parents not showing up

58%

48%

45%

36%

32%

9%

9%

Parents not showing up for volunteer activities

The time to prepare information/activities forvolunteers

Concern for students/classroom confidentiality

Organizing/managing volunteers

Disruption of regular classroom routines

Other

None of the above

n=646

What are areas of concern or difficulty using parent volunteers? Please select all that apply.

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

Parents & Teachers both want MORE volunteering!

n=475 n=601Parents: Do you wish you could volunteer more at school, less, or are you volunteering just the right amount for you?

Volunteer More43%Right 

Amount

Less2%

Do not wish to volunteer

2%Too Few 

Volunteers45%Right 

amount

Too many1%

Educators: Do you feel there were too few, just the right amount, or too many volunteers in the 2012-13 school year?

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

1. Go Wide2. Think Flexible3. Tune In4. Just ASK5. Get Specific

Participation Best Practices

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#TXSLS13

• Focus on broad participation • ALL involvement is important• Cultivating future leaders, champions & donors

1. Go Wide

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Something for Everyone• Ongoing • Special events• On‐the‐Go• At home• Weekend• On‐line• Special Skills & Interests

2. Think Flexible

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Family Needs?• Working• Unemployed • Immigrant• Military• Grandparents• Small kids• Dads

3. Tune In

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Customize Engagement and Opportunities to meet diverse needs of YOUR Community!

Which flexible solutions apply to your community?

3. Tune In

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#TXSLS13

A Shout for Dads!

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Dads Participate!http://blog.VolunteerSpot.com

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1. Go Wide2. Think Flexible3. Tune In

ACTIVITY: Best Practices

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Groups of 3‐5

10 minutes Best‐Practice Sharing  

& Application

Review Engagement Handout for Ideas

#TXSLS13

1. Go Wide2. Think Flexible3. Tune In

How do you Boost Parent Participation at Your School?

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

• Classroom Involvement• Fundraisers• Back 2 School• PTA Meetings• Membership• Legislative Advocacy****Any focused engagement with special groups?  

#TXSLS13

1. Go Wide2. Think Flexible3. Tune In4. Just ASK5. Get Specific

Participation Best Practices

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

"Have you thought about how you would like to get involved this year?"

4. Just ASK

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4. Just ASK

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!Overuse of any

channel gets ignored/ avoided -

especially email!

#TXSLS13

1. (newsletter) Cafeteria Lunch Volunteers needed – please email mary@schoolPTA.org if you can help on Mon. or Tues. (or just show up, THANKS!)

2. (email) Urgent: 5 Volunteers needed in the Cafeteria next week on Mon. at 11am or Tues. at noon.  Please let me know if you can help – thanks!

3. Urgent: We need your help at lunch next week in the cafeteria to give our teachers a well‐deserved break (and your kids will LOVE seeing you by day). Please click here to choose a fun 50 minute shift. Thanks! 

5. Get Specific

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

FREE Upgrades for TXPTA Members (up to a $300 value!)

Try it Today: VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

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FREE TX PTA MEMBER

UPGRADES!

On‐the‐Go, In Person or On Computer

Get Specific

NO PASSWORDS / REGISTERED ACCOUNTS FOR VOLUNTEERS!

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“VolunteerSpot has changed our PTA!  Gone are the same 10 people helping.  More parents are pitching in, our leaders are happy, our kids are better supported!”  ~ Cindy R, PTA Leader

“What a timesaver! I told my school I'd be the volunteer coordinator next year all because of VolunteerSpot!” ~ Sabrena, PTA Leader

99% of Organizers 95% of Volunteers 

would refer VolunteerSpot to a friend 

or colleague.

What Leader’s Say…

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS1324

GET STARTED NOW

Carnivals & Festivals

Teacher Appreciation

Back to School

Library & Book Fair

Concessions Class Helpers

Walkathons & Races

Parties & Potlucks

For Everything you Organize

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

1. Go Wide2. Think Flexible3. Tune In4. Just ASK5. Get Specific

Participation Best Practices

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

RECOGNITION & FEEDBACK

Accelerate the Journey

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

Thanks to Chris Jarvis, @RealizedWorth

#TXSLS13

1. Only contact when you need something2. Not calling back / losing participation 

interest forms3. Not reminding people4. Not needing people when they show up5. Keeping ‘em too long6. Calling same CLIQUE NY Times 12/10

7. Not sharing results8. Not thanking ‘em

Trust‐Breaking Mistakes

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

• Face‐to‐Face• Photo Walls• Personal Letters• Newsletter Shouts• Hours Awards• Social Media• Stats & Thermometers

Recognition

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

Committee Picker/Volunteer Interest

1. Welcome letters2. Share How Volunteers 

Make Difference3. Social Events4. New Parent Coffee 5. ASK visibly and often6. Capture ALL interest 

& ACT on it!

Back‐to‐School Bonus Tips

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How do you Recognize Parent Participation?

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Groups of 3‐5

4 minutes Best‐Practice Sharing  

#TXSLS13

• How can we improve?• What are your most/least favorite activities & events? 

• I feel … •welcomed •valued• that my opinions and suggestions matter

Ask for Feedback

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

Thank you!!~ Karen Bantuveris

Karen@volunteerspot.com

Facebook.com/VolunteerSpot

@VolunteerSpot@VSpotMom Pinterest.com/VolunteerSpot

THX 4 Making a Difference!

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

#TXSLS13

FREE Upgrades for TXPTA Members (up to a $300 value!)

Try it Today: VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

VolunteerSpot.com/TXPTA

FREE TX PTA MEMBER

UPGRADES!