Recruiting and Managing Volunteers

Planning a PTO Community Service Project

How to choose and run a meaningful service project that reaches beyond the school doors.
How PTOs Help Families in Need

When people in the school community face tough times, parent groups step up.
2 Hour Power

Step-by-step instructions and templates to get a volunteer pledge program set up at your school—free.

Ideas That Raise Students' Social Awareness

These parent group projects help kids learn about community and their place in it.
After Hurricane Sandy: How Parent Groups Helped Schools Rebuild

Following the devastating storm, impromptu networks of parents and schools helped victims get back on their feet.
Parent Involvement Toolkit

This comprehensive guide offers time-tested strategies for connecting with all types of parents at your school and walking them up the Involvement Ladder.

Reach Out to Parents With a Pledge Program
PTO volunteer pledge programs make a big difference for schools, one hour at a time.
Confront the Fear of Quitting
Concerns about how they'll be treated if they stop volunteering makes some parents avoid getting involved at all.
Insights From a First-Time Volunteer
How do newbies perceive your parent group? A new volunteer’s insightful look at how others view the PTO.

25 Ways To Catch and Keep Volunteers
Tips to lure volunteers in, keep them happy, and avoid pitfalls that drive them away.
Build Your Volunteer Base
11 tried-and-true ideas to nurture volunteers and make sure that every involvement experience is a positive one.
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.

Treat Your Volunteers Right
Don’t wait for the big annual event to say thanks. We've rounded up simple recognition ideas that can be used year-round.
Care and Feeding of Key Volunteers
Your core members are so important to the success of your group. Make sure they're getting what they need out of their volunteer experience.

10 Tips for Classroom Volunteers
A teacher and PTO leader offers tips on how class moms and dads can help—and have a more rewarding volunteer experience, too.
Developing New PTO and PTA Leaders
It takes ongoing effort to cultivate the parents who will run the group after you retire.