Online Sign Up Blog by VolunteerSpot

VolunteerSpot Blog | Best of 2011

Blog Series, Guest Regulars and Wonderful Readers Made 2011 our Best Year Yet!

We want to celebrate and thank our guest contributors for a great year of all things service and giving back.  From insightful perspectives on school parent involvement,  non-profit success and benefit auction how-to's, to volunteer management and social media tips, teacher appreciation and fun class party ideas, employee volunteering and corporate responsibility news, faith group and community-building concepts and so much more - our blog proved to be an ever-evolving foundation for sharing timely and desired content.  

 
A favorite summer blog series, Teacher Tuesdays, was a thrilling opportunity to feature guest posts focusing on parent engagement in education from a teacher's perspective.  

 

Our Summer of Service feature gave us the privilege of featuring leading guest bloggers who shared their unique and personal perspectives on service, volunteering and citizen philanthropy.  Topics ranged from volunteering for kids and volunteer management, to the power of story-telling, employee service, supporting military families and so much more! 

 

The My School My Way campaign brought together over 30 bloggers sharing the highs and lows of parent volunteering, and how they did it their way in their school.  From humourous anecdotes to heart-warming insights, our My School My Way blog campaign had something for everyone, and we were honored to share these wonderful parents and writers with our readers.  Wrap-up and roll call.

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April Welch, our resident Mental Clutter Coach, joined us week after week for Tidy Thursday - bringing fresh ideas and bright new ways to approach organizing our lives!

Worship Wednesday guest posts from Sue Brage were a true blessing.  From a faith-based perspective, her thoughts and words shed light on growing one's faith group and the interpretation of service in doing so.

 

 

Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions LLC brought us countless helpful tips, ideas and strategies when it came to running a successful auction.  From publicitiy, to gathering volunteers, legal refreshers, and best practices, expert advice made auction fundraisers less of a dream and more of a reality for many readers.

 

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VolunteerSpotlights gave us a chance to shine a light on the amazing individuals and organizations who use VolunteerSpot to make a difference in their community.  From school parent leaders to festival organizers, conference coordinators to humane societies, congregational volunteer leaders to regional homeless shelter organizers - the willingness to do good was colorful and widespread and we were honored to share each and every story.

Additional Guest Regulars included:

Chris Jarvis of Realized Worth brought us insights into workplace volunteering, corporate social responsibility, and employee volunteer programs.

Andrea Patten of What Kids Need to Succeed illumined top tips, best practices, fun stories and helpful hints when it comes to running a successful nonprofit.

Myrdin Thompson of RootsandWings Library and MomCongress provided a keen and astute perspective from everything grant-writing, to literacy promotion, and advocating for more school involvement.

Susan Wells of SteveSpanglerScience joined us to share super creative and much-needed ideas incorporating science into the classroom, whether for a class party, school science fair, or the "dreaded science project."

A variety of incredibly talented and knowledgable contributors made our array of free e-books available as a highly sought-after resource for countless volunteers, organizers, teachers, team moms, and room parents!  From healthy snack ideas, to parent-teacher conference, class party, volunteer recognition, bake sale, school carnival, fundraising, talent show, and family volunteering ideas and tips, our e-books continue to be a fun and helpful resource for our readers and we are thrilled to be able to share them on our blog.

Family Friendly Volunteering: Service Project Ideas from A-Z

View more presentations from VolunteerSpot

There are so many more favorite posts and contributors in addition to these listed and we hope you take the time to look around.  Of course, our blog would be nowhere without our amazing readers and those who help promote and share our posts.  2011 was an incredible year and we are sure 2012 will prove to be even better - many thanks and here's to a New Year!

How 2 VolunteerSpot: Creating a Substitute List

When you have an ongoing volunteer need such as community library, school cafeteria, or church pantry volunteers, it's nice to keep a list of substitutes (sub-list) for people who can't work a regular shift but are willing to help out occasionally, as needed. 

Recruiting substitutes is also a best-practice for building your volunteer team.  Psychologically, it's often easier for new volunteers to agree to be a substitute than to agree to a regular commitment.  As you use your list and invite helpers, you may notice that the same people enthusiastically step forward...guess what, they're your new regular volunteers!

These are the steps for creating a sub list on VolunteerSpot:

1) Create your regular Multiple Day activity sign up calendar and invite your core group of volunteers to sign up for their shifts.  This is the activity you will manage on most days, and will have your regular on-going volunteer shifts listed.

2) Create a new "No Specific Day" sign up Sheet, with one ToDo item: e.g. Library Substitute.  Set the number of people who can signup to "No Limit" and add Details about when they will be called on. (click image to view full-screen.) Invite volunteers to sign up using an email or link, or make manual assignments from a clipboard signup sheet.

3) When you need substitutes, Open your regular ongoing activity in the MyActivities tab and click the "Invite" icon to the left of the activity status calendar.  Choose "Invite from Previous" and select your sub-list volunteers (the signup sheet you created in Step 2) and customize the message.  (Click the image below to see the example enlarged).  Activity links to your ongoing volunteer calendar will be automatically included.

4) Substitutes will be invited and can choose their spots by clicking the link in their email invitation.  Full days will display as 'Full" - and everyone will be pleased you skipped 'reply-all' email and duplicates, easy!

Online Signup Sheets Faster - Now with Speedy Links!

Sign up sheets by VolunteerSpot just got even easier! 

To simplify the process of signing up, volunteers invited from a group URL link will click directly from the link to your activity signup sheet (without the extra step of an email invitation). This speeds the signup experience for volunteers entering via facebook, Twitter, a website or in a newsletter or group email. For those of you with current signups, you don't need to change anything, links will automatically perform as speedy links.

More recent updates:

• Download VolunteerSpot assignments to Outlook, iCal, Cozi  and Google Calendars

• No-date signup sheets make picking committees and choosing meeting times a breeze

• Easy steps for adding VolunteerSpot sign up links to your facebook page

Room Mom Letters: Best Practice Examples

Congrats on being a Room Mom or Room Dad!  We've gathered these sample letters as best-practices for kicking off the year, getting organized, and getting more parents involved in helping your class have a great year!

 

Sample Letters:

          1.  Room Mom Welcome Letter to Class Parents       

          2.  Room Mom Class Party Call for Help (using a URL signup link)

* * *

1. Room Mom Welcome Letter to Class Parents:

Welcome back to school and to Mrs. Rose's Class!  I'm ___________, one of your class room moms, which means I get to help coordinate parents and parties so Mrs. Rose and our kids have the best possible year.  I can't wait to meet you and am happy to answer any questions you have about the class.

Here are some important details and dates:

> Teacher name and contact information

> Your name and contact information (and other room moms)

> Schedule of class parties, events and field trips

> School fundraising and class gift requirements (e.g. Auction baskets, winter holiday teacher gift collections, end of year teacher gits, etc.)

> The kind of help the teacher needs (classroom readers, art station helpers, recess monitors, etc.)

> How to signup to help: (using a URL invitation link)

We’re using VolunteerSpot (an online calendar signup tool) to coordinate parent volunteers for the class. Please click the link(s) below and enter your email address to sign up.   

Sign up to help at class parties and field trips here

http://tinyurl.com/MsRosesClassFun

 

Sign up to read to the class on Fridays here:

                    http://tinyurl.com/MsRosesClassReaders

This process makes it easy for you to choose a spot and sends automated confirmation and reminder messages - which most parents appreciate.  You don't need to register an account on VolunteerSpot -- the site will remember you by your email address.

If you have trouble accessing the site or prefer not to enter your email address – please email me and I can sign you up manually.

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you!  Together, we're going to have a great year!

2. Room Mom Class Party Invitation (using URL signup link)

The class holiday party is coming up on DATE and we could use your help either at the party with the kids, or sending food /party supplies! 

We’re using VolunteerSpot (an online signup sheet tool) to coordinate parent volunteers for the class party. Please click the link below and enter your email address to sign up to help:  

 http://tinyurl.com/MsRoseHolidayParty

This process makes it easy for you to choose a spot and sends automated confirmation and reminder messages - which most parents appreciate.  You don't need to register an account on VolunteerSpot -- the site will remember you by your email address.

 If you have trouble accessing the site or prefer not to enter your email address – please email me and I can sign you up manually.

Thanks for helping throw a memorable and fun celebration!

 

Easy Committee Picker Signup Sheets Using VolunteerSpot | How to VolunteerSpot

Easy Committee SignUp Sheets

Late Spring is the perfect time to recruit volunteers for Fall activities and committees at school, nonprofits and in Faith Groups. In securing commitments now, committee chairs can breath a sign of relief over the summer months and concentrate on planning activities, deligate tasks and even ask newly signed up committee members to invite their friends!

How to use VolunteerSpot as a committee picker for your group:

Step 1: Choose a 'No Specific Day' Signup Sheet
Step 2: List Committee Options
Step 3: Invite Members to Signup for their Choice of Committees
  

Step 1: Choose a No Specific Day Signup Sheet

Login and create a new activity in the Planning Wizard and choose a “No Specific Day” signup sheet on screen 1.

Step 2: List Options

Click Plan Spots

Add a ToDo item for each committee that needs volunteers. You likely won't add a time, and will need to choose if there is an unlimited number of spots, or if you have an ideal number of members in mind. Use the 'details' field to share more information about the committe or even list the committee's meeting time, such as “Meets Every Monday at 4pm”  or “ Meets First Tuesdays at 6pm”.

 
Step 3: Invite Members to Signup for their Choice of Committees

Invite your Committee members on the last screen of the Planning Wizard. When a volunteer clicks the signup link and chooses times that work, (s)he’ll see something like this:

* * *

Once committee members have all signed up, you can print rosters, Export data into Excel or other files, or create new signup sheets to invite members (single day or multiple day).  Click “invite from previous” to automatically populate the committee members’ email addresses in new activity invitations!

Happy Planning!

How to Customize VolunteerSpot Sign Up Sheet Buttons on your Website

We love our volunteer leaders and volunteers and are always impressed with the new and creative ways they use VolunteerSpot's time-saving coordiantion tool.  Here's a best practice Volunteer Sign Up Orientation video from the good folks at Glendora United Methodist Church in California.

Wow! What terrific time and attention went into creating this video!  Please notice how they:

• Created custom sign-up buttons for their website.  (We give you standard buttons that look like this:

• Show how a link-invitation signup works {The process is the same if you're inviting people via a URL link, or a HTML button.  Our current process lets volunteer enter the signup sheet immediately after entering an email address.}

• Asked their volunteers to register {This is never required by VolunteerSpot, just a preference of this particular group.}

Thank you UMC Glendora!

Adding a Sign Up Sheet Link to Your Facebook Page | How 2 VolunteerSpot

One of the best ways to recruit volunteers is to find them where they are already hanging out.  For many groups, that means facebook!  If your nonprofit, team or school has a facebook page - or if you do personally,  consider adding your VolunteerSpot sign up sheet invitation links there. (Please note, anyone with access to your facebook page will be able to sign up for your activity.)

Adding Sign Up Sheet Links on Facebook

It's easy - here's how:

 

1. When you create your signup sheet, copy the activity's unique URL link from the Invitation Screen in the Planning Wizard or from here:

 

2. Open your Facebook account and click "Link" in the News feed.  Paste in your link where it says "What's on your mind?" and click Attach. (The link looks something like this: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/54234563443539201)

 

3. When the screen below comes up, click on the link URL address to edit what shows in that field. Change the text to say something like,  "Click here to signup on VolunteerSpot".  

Type something about your activity in the "Say something about this link..." line. 

Click the "Share" button to publish the link.

 

It looks like this when published:

Volunteers will NOT need to register an account at VolunteerSpot -- just click the link and enter a valid email address to access your signup sheet.

Happy Volunteering!

 

Sending Thank You Notes with VolunteerSpot

From time to time we like to highlight helpful features on VolunteerSpot that can save you even more time. Today, please meet the Thank You Note feature.

Here's a convenient way to send Thank You notes to volunteers with just a few clicks. 

1. Open your activity in the MyActivities tab and click the Send Thank You icon to the left of the activity status calendar. 
2. Choose to send a message to all your volunteers, or choose to send a note to just those signed up for specific days, or by their status - such as 'signed up'.

Go ahead, give thanks - it's easy!

3 Tips for saying thank you to volunteers

Be Timely. Thank volunteers soon after their service. For volunteers with regular ongoing shifts, make an effort to recognize volunteers monthly.

Be Specific.  Let volunteers know how their service makes a difference.  How many kids did they help learn to read? How many families were fed? How many trees were planted? How much money was raised for your cause?

Be Sincere. Use "I" statements.

E.g.:  "I appreciate your help with the Auction on Saturday! Together, we raised $25,000 for new playground equipment. That's going to make a lot of kids very happy for years to come, starting with yours! Thank you!"

More Great Ideas for Thanking Volunteers:

Creative Ideas for Thanking the Volunteers in Your Life

Volunteer Recognition Ideas with Social Media for PTA & PTOs

7 Ways to Thank Volunteers without Breaking the Bank

Writing the Perfect Volunteer Thank You Note

Easy Meeting Time Picker Using VoluneerSpot

Being on a committee at your school or nonprofit usually means meetings, lots of meetings, to get things done. Need to find a time when most committee members can meet?  We’ve got you covered!

How to use VolunteerSpot to choose the best meeting time for your group:

Step 1: Choose a 'No Specific Day' Signup Sheet
Step 2: List Options
Step 3: Invite members to signup and ‘vote’ for the best times 
Step 4: Choose the best meeting time       

Step 1: Choose a No Specific Day Signup Sheet

Login and create a new activity in the Planning Wizard and choose a “No Specific Day” signup sheet on screen 1.

Step 2: List Options

Click Plan Spots

Add a ToDo item for each meeting time under consideration.  Enter the meeting time option in the first field and press Save – don’t add a time, quantity or extra details.  {alternatively, you could list a recurring time, like “Every Monday at 4pm”  or “Every Tuesday at 6pm”}

Here’s the list, entered with the month/date first.  This is done so that the list shows in date order when viewed by the volunteer/committee member.

Step 3: Invite members to signup and ‘vote’ for the best times 

Invite your committee members on the last screen of the Planning Wizard.  For the most efficient process, we recommend that you ask members to signup for any time they are able to meet. E.g.:

We’re planning our upcoming meeting.  Please click the link below and sign up for ANY day you are available to meet.  I’ll tally the responses and choose the day most of us are available.  Thanks!

When a volunteer clicks the signup link and chooses times that work, (s)he’ll see something like this:

Step 4: Choose the best meeting time       

Once committee members have all signed up, you can see which time is convenient for the largest number of members. If needed you may click on the arrows on the left side and see who has signed up on each time/date option.

* * *

Once you have the best time, create a new sign up sheet to invite members (single day or multiple day).  Click “invite from previous” to automatically populate the committee members’ email addresses and we’ll take care of reminders for you so everyone makes the meeting!

Happy Meetings to You!

Library Volunteers: Simple Scheduling for Weekly Readers, Literacy Helpers, Summer Reading Programs and More

VolunteerSpot Makes Scheduling Library Volunteers Fast, Easy and Free!

The love of reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children and cultivate in our communities. That's why we're privileged to be supporting librarians here at VolunteerSpot.  We know you can't do it on your own and rely on a small army of volunteers to staff school and community libraries. Whether you're coordinating parents and volunteers as weekly readers, literacy mentors and operations assistants, organizing library fundraisers or launching summer reading program events, VolunteerSpot's free online sign up sheets make your life a little easier!

FREE VOLUNTEER COORDINATION WEBINARS FOR LIBRARIANS:

Feburary 9, 2011

Feburary 10, 2011

Please join us for a free webinar and learn how VolunteerSpot can save time and make it easier for more volunteers to help. No more binders with endless signup sheets, printed excel spreadsheets, back and forth email and reminder calls.  We've got a better way: simple online signups and automated reminder messages. Please check out VolunteerSpot today. 

Can't make the webinar? Please take a live tour or get started today at www.VolunteerSpot.com.  

Swim Teams: Free and Easy Volunteer Scheduling and Signup Sheets

Swim Moms, This One's for You!

  Here at VolunteerSpot we are watching the icicles and shivering in our coats today and we can't wait for summer. We’re not the only ones, swim moms (and dads) across the country are preparing for spring and summer swim leagues – each year thousands of new kids join in the sport, learn their basic strokes and start competing against their best times.

But unlike many wonderful activities of parenting, just dropping off and picking up is not an option. Swim meets are like county fairs with speedos -- so many activities, so many starts and stops, so many little pods of children that need to be sheparded throughout the event -- swim teams and meets require scores of parents to fulfill many critical roles. Swim team parents and swim team volunteers must fill spots as race timers, age group parents, even people to manage the snack bar. Often, it's not just at meets that parent volunteers are needed, but during practices and for fundraisers and socials as well.

One veteran parent talked about volunteer coordination task at her swim club.

"Some years, there is a parent’s committee that keeps an eye out to make sure that all the parents pull their weight. But some years, the parent’s committee gets overwhelmed and doesn't coordinate the volunteers -- half of us end up working like crazy the whole season and the other half just sort of hide out and hope no one notices them!"

VolunteerSpot salutes the hard work of the parent coordinators trying to get everyone where they need to be. Just a question though -- would it be okay if it were like 10 (maybe 20) times easier? Thought so! Just look at what VolunteerSpot can do for your club this season (for FREE):

 Click ‘menu’ to view in full-screen, download or share...

Free & Easy Swim Team Volunteer Scheduler By VolunteerSpot

 

• Easily set up meet calendars, establish all the jobs and number of volunteers needed.
• Once one meet and all its volunteer jobs are set up, this can be copied for all the other meet dates in the season --  simply change the meet name and location all the jobs copy over with a simple point and click copy function.
• Put a link on your club website or facebook page, or email team parents (once you do this, you can send email updates to them all season) and ask them to choose a minimum number of shifts.
• Parents receive email, click-in to your calendar, and start choosing their shifts.
• Coordinators can easily track parent hours and assignments and can then bug only those parents who are slacking!! or send a special thank you to those who have already picked up shifts!! or any other communication.
• 2 days before the meet, VolunteerSpot automatically emails everyone to remind them of their assignment.
• Coordinators can print out an assignment list from VolunteerSpot to have hard copies on hand at the meet to remind everyone who's handling what that day.  (Or, if you’re pool is wireless, you can check the day’s roster via an iPad.)

Here's to a great swim season and to teams all over making their volunteering easier with VolunteerSpot.  You can take a live demo of a swim team volunteer sign up and experience how easy it is for parents to pick their spots – click “try a live demo” on our homepage.

You may also like:

• Tips to Make this Swim Team Season a Splashing Success
• VolunteerSpotlight: Lori, Blue Sharks Swim Team Volunteer Coordinator, Knoxville, TN
• Simple Tips for Organizaing Swim Parents that Make the Season More Fun for Everyone!
• 5 Swim Mom Musts for a Successful Season

 

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

7 Sign Up Sheets that Save Time and Help you Give Back This Holiday Season

It’s always heartwarming and inspiring to see the creative ways VolunteerSpot is put to use. During the holiday season, it’s especially so. 

We wanted to highlight some simple sign up sheets that make it easy to ask for help during the holidays. Whether you’re organizing a class giving tree or holiday party, a community meal or toy drive with your congregation, a coat drive or 5K with a local nonprofit, or helping neighbors and friends in need -- asking for help lowers your holiday stress level and gives others an opportunity to feel (really) good as they can easily contribute to your good work.  

Whatever you’re organizing this holiday season, we hope VolunteerSpot’s free online sign up sheets make your life a little easier! Try VolunteerSpot now.


Sign Up Sheets: Save Time, Free and Easy for the Holidays
 

Adopt a Family / Giving Tree Sign Up Sheet

 
 

Class Party Sign Up Sheet

 

 Community Meal / Soup Kitchen Sign Up Sheet

 

 

Caring Circle Signup Sheet (Visiting Elderly Neighbors/Relatives)

Holiday Show Sign Up Sheet

Winter Carnival Sign Up Sheet for Volunteers

 

Congregation Potluck Sign Up Sheet

  

What are other ways to use VolunteerSpot's signup sheets? Let us know how YOU use VolunteerSpot, write a comment below to share your volunteering efforts.

Here's to a joyful and (hopefully) stress-free holiday season!  Thanks for Doing Good!!

 

Snack Sign up Sheet : Free and Easy Snack Signups for Teams, Classes and Scouts

Snack Sign up Sheet Templates, Examples, and Healthy Choices

  ! 

The snack schedule works best when all parents sign up to help. VolunteerSpot’s free and easy sign up sheets make it simple to ask for help, simple to sign up, and automated reminders help everyone keep their commitments. (Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than being the parent that forgot the snacks!) Learn more at VolunteerSpot now.

Online Snack Schedules: Easy as 1-2-3

 
  I love VolunteerSpot, you make my life as the team mom so much easier! Not a single parent missed their turn bringing snacks this season!

~ Carol Y., soccer and Little League mom of 2, Pasadena, CA

 



Already have a printed snack schedule sign up sheet? No problem!  Enter the names and assignments manually in VolunteerSpot and we’ll remind each parent when it’s their turn…automatically!

While we’re talking snacks, let’s keep it healthy!  When it’s your turn to feed the crew, check out these simple ideas in our free eBook or visit Fix Me A Snack, a blog written by a creative mom and filled with fresh, healthy, easy snack ideas. 

 

Other eBooks you may enjoy:

Sign up Sheet Examples for Youth Sports

Room Parent's Survivial Guide

Back to School Sign up Sheet Examples

 

 

Happy Halloween from Team VolunteerSpot

 

 

 

Meet Team VolunteerSpot

All of us here at VolunteerSpot hope that you had an excellent Halloween, full of candy and creative costumes (and free of ghosts and goblins)!

We wanted to take a moment to share our Halloween highlights and introduce some of the excellent people who make up Team VolunteerSpot. What's a better way to learn something about someone than when they're in costume?

 

 

 

Meet Karen Bantuveris, the founder and CEO of VolunteerSpot, and her daughter.

After seeing how much trouble it was to schedule volunteers at her daughter's school, Karen became determined to develop an easy and free way to effectively manage volunteers. VolunteerSpot is the result of that effort, a tool that makes doing good easier.

 

Say "Hey!" to Carissa Rogers and her family.         

Carissa is a molecular biologist turned blogger that joined the VolunteerSpot team this past August. Carissa is a blog genius and people connector who writes for and collaborates on VolunteerSpot's blog. The robot's expression is priceless.

 
How original are these costumes?

The adorable yogurt and tree duo belong to our very own Carol Church. Carol is a software developer that has been with VolunteerSpot since the beginning. We love the costumes Carol!

 

Off to the races!

This cute guy is the son of Diana Schlott, one of the founders of VolunteerSpot and our Chief Evangelist and Volunteer Whisperer.  Diana works with groups to spread the word about VolunteerSpot and meets with our volunteer leaders to learn what they like about our service and how we can do better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Combs failed in the costume department.

But there are pumpkins in the background, so that counts, right? Sarah is VolunteerSpot's social media intern. She has been a part of VolunteerSpot for nine months and helps manage their Twitter feed and blog (and loves it).

 

Jess Young, our unflappable flapper
Meet Jessica Young from our Help Desk. If you've got a question, Jess likely has an answer for you - and yes, she smiles like that all the time!

 

Zombie Alert! Meet Lori Krein and husband
Lori may look terrifying, but she's a pussicat!  Lori pollinates for VolunteerSpot, sharing our tools and stories with groups online and off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Bunny!
This blue beauty belongs to Burton Miller, a VolunteerSpot founder and our CTO. So squeezable (the bunny, well...maybe Burton too)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who’s the Daddy?!

Scott Joffe (shown here with his wise old daughter) is a master connector and idea guy. We’re thrilled to count him on our team!

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to go into battle!

  Karmen Fistar and her daughter are fantastic in red and black. Thank you Karmen for your work for VolunteerSpot!

 

 

 

 

 

 
This is just a part of Team VolunteerSpot, to learn more about us visit our About page. We are, as always, forever grateful to all the people who make VolunteerSpot possible, most of all our users!

From all of us at VolunteerSpot, we hope you had a fun and Happy Halloween with your family and friends! By the way, got excess candy? Please consider donating it for care packages to our troops overseas. Learn more at Operation Gratitude.

~ Team VolunteerSpot

 

 

 

Stock Halloween Image from ShutterStock.

Sample Welcome Letters to Class Parents from Room Moms & PTA / PTO Leaders

Quick and Easy Solutions for Parent Volunteer Coordination

VolunteerSpot is super easy to use - we know that, and you know that - most parents get their first email invitation from VolunteerSpot and in minutes, are signed up to help! (We like to say, "If you can shop online, you can use VolunteerSpot.") With anything new involving technology, it's nice to provide a little extra support and information for those parent and volunteers who may be on the tech-timid side.

We've gathered these sample letters as best-practices for introducing VolunteerSpot to your school.  We also have a graphical presentation available for download to share with parents and teachers about how VolunteerSpot works.  Download VolunteerSpot Overview - Parents

Thanks for using VolunteerSpot and Happy Back-to-School!

Sample Letters:

•  Back-to-School: Call for Volunteers / Committee Picker 

•  Volunteer Welcome Letter from Committee Chair (prior to sending                                    VolunteerSpot email invitation)

•  Room Mom Welcome Letter to Class Parents        

•  Sample Invitation to Signup for a Class Party (using a URL link)

•  Online Sign Up Sheet Templates & Resources for Room Parents

 

Note: As background, there are three ways volunteers can sign up on VolunteerSpot - through a direct email invitation, a URL link in a group email or facebook, or an HTML button on your website.  Click here for an article from our help system: How To Invite Volunteers.