We started a monthly newsletter that highlights upcoming events, outstanding volunteers, special volunteer needs. Last year we needed some carpentry work on our "water exploration center", we posted in our newsletter and the next day a dad who had never volunteered before (his daughter was in 5th grade) came and replaced wood, caulked and made the area like new. He said he had never found a job he could do before as a volunteer. He was proud to have been needed.

I have heard both sides of volunteering; parents say I said I want to volunteer but nobody ever calls me and the parent group says we desperately need volunteers. At the end of school last year, we held a Olympic end of school party for our second graders. I called every parent (89 families, it took 8 days) with specific what, when, where, etc two weeks prior to the event. Three days prior I sent each parent a personalized reminder. I had 37 parents show up for this event. I was blown away! I honestly believe with personal contact, specific information, and an allowable time notice, you can get parents involved. They just need to know that you need them (personally), information (specific), and weeks in advance (allowable time notice). Good luck.

How can we get more people involved. It is so hard to get help. I have been involved in our school PTO since my daughter was in first grade she is now 18 years old. I am still involved because they can not get anybody else to do anything. What can we do to get people excited about helping our school?