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
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, ask if they would be willing to help on that detail.
Gardening
If there are some beautification needs around campus, perhaps a group of parents (and maybe students) would be interested in 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, 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 well-connected within town and beyond. These people will probably take it upon themselves to advocate for their child’s school, but they may not know the most important needs. 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? Musical instruments, fishing, chess, robotics… there are plenty of things that students would love to learn about if given the opportunity.
