Each “Den Mother” was responsible for creating a Parent Resource Directory for their assigned grade. The directory was used to solicit volunteers for field trips and special school events. There is little doubt that parent volunteers who serve as assistants and contributors to school and classroom programs and as audiences at school activities and events help strengthen school programs.

By organizing and training volunteers to assist in the schools, educators are sending a clear message that parents and others are welcome and that their time and talents are valued.

Here are a few rules you might want to remember when planning a volunteer initiative.

- In operating a volunteer program, it is important to keep a broad view of potential volunteer involvement. Do not assume that the only people who are likely to volunteer at your school are the same types of people who previously volunteered.

- Program planning and design begins with an initial assessment of why the school wishes to use volunteers and what benefits and problems are likely to be resolved with the use of volunteers.

- What are the benefits of having school volunteers? Delivery of service at a reduced cost – There are a number of volunteers that will be able to assist the school in areas that might otherwise topple a school’s budget. If the school in able to create a pool of retired volunteer teachers to help in the reading or math lab, or with students one-on-one sessions, this is a great benefit to students, teachers and parents at virtually no cost.

- Teachers and parents can not do everything that is needed to increase student achievement. Volunteers are needed to assist in listening to a poor reader, acting as hall monitors, walking through the neighborhood before and after school and planting flowers so the school and community can take pride in their school.