Why is it Important to track volunteer
hours?
This question is asked so often that it could be one used
for Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? In
most cases, the person answering would probably have to use a lifeline to
determine the answer!!
5
REASONS WHY DISTRICT ELEVEN VOLUNTEER SERVICES TRACKS VOLUNTEER TIME
- District
11’s strategic plan includes community involvement.
Goal 4.1 states, “An environment will exist where all
parents/guardians are involved in their child’s education.”
The measure for this goal is the “Ratio of the number of volunteer
hours per school enrollment.” Goal
4.1.3 specifies “The ratio of number of volunteer hours to students
enrollment for each school will increase.”
The measure for this goal is, “Baseline for each school will be
established 2003-2004, using the tracking system currently in place.”
- The
new recognition program is based on volunteer hours with recognition pins
given to volunteers for 100 hours, 250 hours, 500 hours, 750 hours and 1000
hours. The hours will be
cumulative from year to year. Volunteer
Chairmen will have to document each volunteer’s hours in order to receive
the recognition pin from Volunteer Services to be awarded at recognition
celebrations at their schools.
- It
is important to demonstrate to the Board of Education, our community and
potential donors the scope and depth of parent and community involvement.
Grant applications request that we demonstrate how a particular
program incorporates community partnerships and volunteer involvement
throughout our school system.
- Risk
Management requires that every person who volunteers in our schools
registers and documents the time they are volunteering to be eligible for
the volunteer accident medical policy and coverage under our general
liability.
- According
to the Independent Sector, the value of an hour of volunteer time is $16.54.
This figure will be updated in March. During the 2002-2003 school year, District 11 volunteers
contributed $11,036,816 in volunteer services, calculated at $14 per hour.