The Volunteer Parent

Because it's what we do!

Swim Banquet – Celebrating Swim Season in Pictures:)

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The Volunteer Parent - Swim Banquet
Celebrating Swim Season in Pictures!

Last night we had our  swim banquet for our high school team. Usually, we would have had the ‘Winter Sports Banquet’ at the school before now, however, this year we were on our own to do our own thing. The annual Winter Sports Banquet was cancelled due to a very scary event with our boys’ basketball team. The banquet was cancelled because of a game that had to be rescheduled to that specific night. So after that, there were no open nights for another banquet night…

I have to admit, I didn’t think it was actually going to happen although I had been planning it for over a month and a bit.  I reserved a room at a pizza place and it was $13 a person. I wasn’t going to do centrepieces because so much was happening but I’m glad we did now. They were not grand and spectacular by any means but the kids LOVED them:)

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Concessions on the Fly

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The Volunteer Parent - ConcessionsConcessions on the Fly

Our middle son, Matthew, is our swimmer. He’s been swimming age group for many years. This year is his first year swimming for his high school team – and boy are things different! Unlike age group, we literally have no budget.

Recently, we were challenged with pulling concessions for our biggest meet, an invitational, together in under a week.  We knew that the invitational was coming. I had already sent an email out to the team with a list of what we needed and hoped for donations.  I also made plans to shop for concession necessities that were not to be donated on the day before; assuming that I would just turn the receipts in, as I always had for any event that required concessions (School, Age Group swim, etc). However, the Sunday night before the Saturday meet, the coach informed me that all concessions HAD to be donated. I also learned that not only were we to cover food donations but we were also responsible for napkins, plates, bowls, spoons, etc. Whatever we were going to need to serve the food. No reimbursements were to be given.

Wait… WHAT??  

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How To Get Volunteers

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How To Get Volunteers

Finding volunteers is not always easy.  A lot of times people see volunteering as a ‘black hole’ from which they will never emerge.  And sure, that can happen… I’m not going to lie.  However, trying to find that balance so they don’t always feel like they ‘have’ to help is crucial. I’m going to go through the different ways that I find my volunteers. I hope this is helpful to you.

At the beginning of each school year, we have a table set up for the PTC.  I have a form made up for the different positions we are looking to fill. Everything from ‘chairpersons’ to ‘just call’ for each event/spot we have available. Some people will check everything and some will just check one small event as a helper.  (Be grateful for every bit of help you get.) I have been lucky with volunteers. Most of mine have been along for the ride with me since my oldest was young. One year, we gave really cute tote bags with our school name and mascot on it away to people who signed up.  This next school year, I believe I am going to set up a coffee and tea service to entice people to visit our table:) People love coffee and freebies:)

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Hello! I’m Kathryn, the Volunteer Parent:)

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Hello, my name is Kathryn. It’s very nice to meet you!

First of all, I am a people person.  I am from the south and boy do my roots and heritage run deep. I love to help. I love to feed. I love to visit and get to know people. I. Love. People.

I grew up in a town where no one locked their doors. We basically would walk in the back door hollering “yooo hoo!!”. I mean if someone came to the front door and knocked… well, you knew for certain, it was somebody you didn’t know.  My parents were keen volunteers when it came to our community and children. I could go on and on about their contributions but that would not do justice for how much they have given back.  I am proud to say, I believe that my love for helping comes directly from them:)

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