PARENT VOLUNTEER FAQ’s

Who needs to volunteer?
We would ask that each family take a turn providing an adult to help.  If mom is unavailable, aunts, uncles, dads, grandpas or grandmas would also be a terrific help!  All families are busy, but we would ask that you would take this responsibility seriously.  

Why do we need to volunteer?
In one word…..Safety.    We want your children to be in the safest possible situations and that can’t happen without additional adults on site.  In the past, we have had no show volunteers and we were not able to supervise the children as they should have been.

How is the Volunteer Schedule created?
Our volunteer coordinator,  takes all the names of the participating Orchard families and assigns half day shifts.  The morning shift is from 8:45-12:30 and the afternoon shift is from 12:30-3:15. You may sign up for specific days/times if you wish, but if you don't sign up you will automatically be assigned shifts.

What if I can’t work my day?
Life is busy, and we know that our dates don’t always work for you.  So, if you find that you aren’t available or you have sick kids,  please use the directory or the Paid Volunteer list to find your own substitute.  Please don’t expect us to do your job here.  If you have tried 5 or 6 people (including the paid list) and you still can’t find a sub, please call us.  Look over the schedule early to watch for conflicts and swap days with other moms whenever possible.

What is the Paid Volunteer List?
This list is a specific group of moms who wouldn’t mind working extra time above their 24 hours of volunteer time.  The reason we ask families to pay is that these people are performing a service to you and out of consideration and respect for their time; it is the right thing to do.  We would request $25 cash for a half day that is scheduled more than 24 hours in advance.  If you have an emergency and the request is less than 24 hours notice, we ask that you pay $35 cash.  All of this is done between families and does not involve Options.

What if I’d like to be on the Paid Volunteer List?
Call us immediately and we will compile and send the list to all our families.

What if I have volunteered for other committees or activities at Options?
Thank you!  We have many great opportunities available to our kids because of our parents.  We are asking that each parent donate 24 hours over the course of the year.  So, if you have volunteered for other jobs, the question is “does this take 24hours over the year?”.  Most of the other volunteer jobs do not take that much time, so we would then add you to the weekly schedule to fulfill those 24 hours. At this point the pizza mom, the field trip and the volunteer coordinator are the only positions that take the full 24 hours.  So please cheerfully fulfill the balance of your hours.  If you have a concern over time worked, please contact us.

Hopefully, this answers most of your questions and concern.  Please remember we are working together to provide a great program for your kids, not just a free day for mom. (Although, what a terrific benefit!!).  Again, thank you, thank you for all your help!