Many schools simply cannot operate without the help of volunteers. The traditional volunteer tasks, like the PTO or chaperoning field trips, are valuable. But there are plenty of other tasks that a volunteer might be able to accomplish that you wouldn’t normally think about.
IT support
These days, many people have advanced technical skills. As more and more devices enter your school, troubleshooting problems can stretch your IT staff. If you happen to have a volunteer that feels comfortable helping the IT staff and students with their technical needs, feel free to put them on that detail.
Anyone can be handy with a shovel, so this isn’t necessarily a specialized task. But if there are some beautification needs around campus, float the idea of a group of parents (and maybe students) getting the work done. If there aren’t any pressing needs, consider starting a sustainable garden for the community.
Reading…to older kids
Reading to elementary students is a popular task for volunteers to be given, but want to know a secret? Older students love to be read to! The world is incredibly stressful for today’s teenagers. Having the opportunity to just relax and follow a story is a rare opportunity for them to unplug.
Lobbying
Some parents are quite well-connected within town and beyond. Although these people will probably take it upon themselves to advocate for their child’s school, sometimes they need a little nudge. Give them a particular issue that you would like help with and ask how they can help. Even if you don’t have any parents that run in those circles, an email campaign can make a lot of difference.
Form an after-school club
Many parents have a hobby, and they might invite their own child to participate, but what if they could share their skills and knowledge with more students? From a certain musical instrument to fishing, there are plenty of things that student would love to learn about if given the opportunity.
