Here are some tips on how to get started with a family volunteer program.
1. Assess your ability to provide safe, appropriate activities for kids.
Enlist someone who has a background in teaching or child services to help you plan family volunteer activities. This is not something you can just throw together. It takes planning and knowledge.
Also, ensure that the activities won't expose your group to legal risks. Check with your risk management advisor and/or lawyer.
Make sure that whatever activities you offer really are a help to you as well as to the families involved.
2. Start out small.
One organization began with two parent-child teams who were asked to volunteer for six months as a test as to whether their idea would work. That program now has 20 families that volunteer regularly.
3. Don't become a baby-sitting service.
Your goal should be to strengthen family bonds, so make sure your activities require cooperation among the family members. One solution is to let families design their own activities since they know their own capabilities and talents.
4. Don't overtax the children.
Children, depending on their ages, don't have the physical strength or attention span of an adult. It is a good idea, coordinators say, to shorten shifts for youngsters. Make sure that the children are active throughout their shift...no down time that could be misused.
5. Interview the adults and children together.
One organization has the parents and children sign a document agreeing to serve for a minimum length of time and to agree to other conditions such as good behavior. Make this a fun thing and one that children and parents can be proud of. Treating the adults and children with equal respect goes a long way to making them all feel good about the experience.
6. Consider and plan for scheduling problems.
It can be a nightmare for families to plan time together. Coordinators suggest beginning with an activity during a holiday period when families are free from work and school. Once they have a good experience, they will be more willing to schedule time together on the weekends or evenings.
7. Train family volunteers well.
All volunteers deserve the best training you can give them and families are no exception. If well trained for their volunteer jobs, family members will know what to expect and how to proceed, leading to a quality experience. Use short videos, and special books for younger children that allow them to solve a puzzle or color a picture.
8. Make sure staff members understand children.
Don't assign staff to family volunteers unless they like kids and understand some simple child development principles. Staff with teaching backgrounds often make the best coordinators for family opportunities.
9. Think outside of the box when considering family volunteer opportunities.
Families can work with animals, visit nursing homes, help raise funds, collect food or goodies for needy families, document science projects, clear trails, pick up litter, and more.
10. Here are some organizations that are successfully using family volunteers:
- Boston Cares
- Dorot
- Orange County Animal Services
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- The Points of Light Foundation even sponsors a Family Volunteer Day in September. That would be a great kick off point for your own family volunteer program.
