A parent who volunteers regularly in the classroom can be a lifesaver for a busy teacher. Unfortunately, finding those parents who are willing to volunteer isn’t always so easy. And sometimes it can seem like it’s as much work to keep your volunteers involved as it would be to do just do the tasks yourself. Here are some easy ways to keep parent volunteers happy and motivated to help throughout the entire year!
Give a warm welcome to volunteers. Don’t forget to introduce everyone and be careful not to inadvertently exclude a new volunteer from the conversation. Every volunteer should feel welcome and appreciated. Give new volunteers an opportunity to ask questions and feel a part of the group. And make sure someone is available to show them around the building so they know where the bathroom, supplies and other necessities are located.
Make sure the mission is clear. Sometimes tasks are completed in steps and by different people in assembly line fashion. It will help your volunteers work more effectively if they understand how their part will impact the finish product and what the ultimate goal is. Make sure everyone knows what is expected and when it needs to be completed.
Teamwork rules. One of the most powerful motivators for human beings is the feeling of belonging. Instill a sense of teamwork with volunteers from the start. When a project is completed, congratulate everyone for a job well done, no matter what part they played. Don’t allow cliques within the group to form – they will be counterproductive in the long run.
Listen when volunteers have an idea. It is easy to get into a rut when things are always done a certain way. Encourage all volunteers to be open-minded when someone has an idea. New people and new ideas are a great way to bring life and excitement to an otherwise hum-drum project that might be due for a change.
Match talent to the project. If you find out a volunteer is a great baker, see if she would like to organize the annual bake sale. Do you have a talented painter in the group? Ask her to paint the backdrop for the class play. Matching someone’s talent and interests to an appropriate task will help create a quality project – and will likely increase future participation.
Get feedback. Check in with your volunteers as often as you can. Find out how a project is going and how they feel about the progress that’s been made. Do they need anything more to complete the task? Frequent contact can head off potential snags and show your volunteers you care about their needs.
Don’t forget to say thank you. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, no matter how insignificant their role. A volunteer must give up personal time to help out, so don’t ever underestimate their value to your classroom’s success. A personal thank-you note, either hand-written or emailed, will go a long way in shoeing your volunteers they are value – and needed.
By: Mrs. Babylin S. Javierto | T-II | Parang Elementary School | Bagac, Bataan
