Volunteer Coordinator Archive

Whether you're a new volunteer coordinator or a veteran, you'll find tons of ideas and tips in the articles below to do your job even better. When you're done reading, head over to the Message Boards to connect with other leaders facing the same challenges.

Articles with a plus sign () are available to PTO Today Plus members only.

• Email Communication Tips - How to use email effectively while avoiding common pitfalls that lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
• Connect With Grandparents and Seniors - Reaching out to grandparents and seniors will pay dividends. Here’s how to make it happen.
• New Laws for Screening Volunteers - Three states passed laws in 2007 that addressed fingerprinting or doing background checks on school volunteers.
• Build Your Volunteer Base: 11 Ideas - Tried-and-true ideas to nurture volunteers and make sure that every involvement experience is a positive one.
• Recruiting Preschool Parents - Involvement by parents whose children haven't even started school yet is great for everyone: They get a low-stress introduction to the school, and your group expands its membership base (and the pool of future leaders, too).
• Orienting New Members - Help newbies hit the ground running by creating a welcoming atmosphere and giving them the opportunity and information they need to be able to contribute right away.
• School Security: How It Affects PTOs - Protecting children on school grounds while also maintaining an open atmosphere for parents is a careful balancing act.
• Do You Really Want Help? - Often it's easier to just do things yourself. But for the long-term health of your group, your time can be better spent.
• Don't Say It! - 12 casual comments that discourage involvement, 12 positive alternatives that build it.
• 16 Tips for Executive Board Members - What you should know about representing your parent group in the community, tips for working with school support staff, and secrets for a successful transition.
• Change Your Micromanaging Ways - Could you be a micromanager? If so, you're probably limiting involvement in your group. Here's how to lighten your grip without having everything fall apart.
• Make New Families Feel Welcome - Holding out a helping hand when families first arrive at the school pays off in increased involvement and a stronger parent group later on.
• Multicultural Outreach: Enthusiasm Helps Build Bridges - Parent leaders demonstrated that they wanted not just a broader volunteer base but also a diverse PTO. They created real opportunities for people to take key roles and became PTO Today’s 2008 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Outreach to a Multicultural Parent Base.
• Responding to Criticism - To deal with criticism effectively, leave your emotions out of the conversation.