This is my summer of change. My daughter graduated from high school and leaves in September for college. My son got married in June and for the first time my husband and I will be empty nesters. None of this concerns me as much as the end of my 22 years as a school volunteer. Yes, you read that correctly: I have been volunteering in my children’s schools for more than 22 years and unless the University of Denver needs room parents, I’m done.
I eased my way into the school volunteer world. I worked full time and I was the parent who dropped off the cupcakes before school and could be counted on to call parents and ask them to contribute money to every cause. I was a little put off by the parents who actually had time to spend in their kid’s classroom, go on field trips and who even knew the learning specialists’ names. My job just didn’t afford me that opportunity. Oh, who am I kidding? I could have easily figured out how to fit it in, but I don’t like other people’s kids that much, and the other parents intimidated me.
Once I stopped working full time, I became the parent who is often mocked. I was the uber volunteer. There was not an auction, annual giving or capital campaign I wouldn’t chair, or a girl scout troop I wouldn’t lead. (I still, however, avoided field trips.) I spent time in the classroom and I knew everyone’s name, including the librarian. I had, in a few short years, moved from the outer circle directly into the bull’s eye. And here’s what I learned.
Volunteers work magic. While they might not go to the workplace every day, they use some of the same skills as a good manager. They plan an event with a budget of $100 for 100 kids and still manage to give each of them a fun time and a good learning experience. The event often requires great organizational skills so they don’t lose anyone—the other parents get really mad when you misplace their kids.
Schools wouldn’t have the ‘extras’ if they didn’t have volunteers. Whether it’s helping in the library, reading to the kids, leading scouts or being a room parent, each of these activities requires commitment and time that everyone tells you they don’t have enough of. Volunteers are not trying to take over the school—though I must say, there have been times when I would have loved to stage a coup. Volunteers are there to support the faculty and students.
During my 22 years, I have met some amazingly smart people who are devoted to their children’s schools. Sure, I have run across a nut case or two, but I can’t think of a single event that I wouldn’t gladly do again, including an auction where a parent yelled at me and I yelled back (look for the complete story another time). So, to all you school volunteers, I say thank you. It has been a fun and enjoyable 22 years.
Now I need to find something to do with my time. Suggestions? Actually, I’m OK. Remember? I’m going to start a book club.
[Patty Unleashed is a column by Backtalk and I Tried It writer Patty Hannum, who has too much time on her hands and clearly needs something more to do.]