FAQ about Volunteering
We are all busier than we think. In a community full of so many active and involved members it's easy to think that it's all taken care of. The truth is there is always a core group of volunteers, teachers and community members that do most of the ground work to make things happen. In an effort to make volunteering at Chief Joseph more accessible and flexible we have started to develop this page...here are some frequently asked questions about volunteering with the Chief Joe PTA...
A: Check out our
volunteer page. All of the open jobs are listed, with detailed descriptions so you can chose a job that might fit your schedule. You can also send an email to the president or vice president and let them know what you CAN do and we will see if there is a job for your comfort level, skill set and schedule. We want you to be happy when you volunteer!
A: Yes. PPS requires adults to have a back ground check if that adult will be alone with students at any time. To be safe the PTA requires the same.
A: No. You can volunteer without being a member. However you can't be a committee chair, event chair or a member of the board if you are not a member of the PTA.
Q:What if I work full time?
A: The PTA has lots of opportunities for working parents to volunteer. Check out our volunteer page for a list of both general volunteer positions and for a list of board and chair positions. There are lots of jobs that can be done from home!
Help put together arts and sciences projects at home in the evening and over the weekend and return to the school.
Make flyers and forms at home for activities, events and programs.
Procure donations and sponsorships for the Night of Magic Auction.
- Sell advertising for the Night of Magic Auction.
- Pick up donated items that have already been procured in your neighborhood.
- Sell Night of Magic tickets to friends and family.
- Volunteer at the Night of Magic.
- Add content to the website; write articles, update pages with event information, update schedules and lists. Access can be easily granted to those who are interested or you can type up your contribution and email it to us (we can then post it to the site for you)
- Work in the Garden on the weekends, the garden is open to all and is in desperate need of affection. There is a garden blog where you can update others on your work, progress, questions and concerns, your schedule and your plans. No one has taken the charge on this program so be the first to lead. It is a great family project, as well as a great opportunity to meet other parents in our community.
- Make phone calls to volunteers regarding opportunities they have signed up for. We provide the list, the information to share and all the tools you need. We just need someone to call the folks and get them signed up. This is also needed for the Arts & Sciences Enrichment program...call the parents and let them know their child got into the program (which is fun!) and give them the class details. This is a great evening activity and can be done via email.
Let us know if you think of other volunteer items that are great for working and busy parents and we can add them to the list.
The PTA really wants to stress that parent involvement should never be considered only "volunteering in the school" There are several ways that we can show our kids that their education is important to us all. Ways we liked were talking to your kids about the activities at school, explaining where the funds and helpers come from (Ie; The PTA raises money at an auction and volunteers put together these classes for you), ask your students what they like and don't like about class and let us know their thoughts, participate in fundraisers your children bring home, spend the time you do have with your child do fun educational activities.
Most of our community of parents are working parents so if we all give a little it will make a huge difference. We want you to know that every little bit does make a difference and that it's not a contest because we are all winning at Chief Joseph!
We really love this PTA program called Three For Me. Please check it out for other ways that you can get involved with your childs education (on a small budget and a busy schedule)...
http://www.three4me.com/
We have considered using this program at Chief Joe often and no one has signed up to manage it, however we feel it has some great information for ways that working parents can consider giving back to a school that gives their child so much.
If you have any questions please contact us!!!