The PTO relies on volunteers to make our many events and programs successful. Volunteer opportunities are available in these areas:

Arts and Enrichment: This committee supports cultural programming for students and parents. It provides a member to sit on the district Little Symphony Committee, coordinates with the Central PTO to present the Historical Perspectives assembly, and is the point of contact for teachers requesting financial assistance for class field trips. Depending on the budget, this committee also will plan evening programs. Volunteer time commitment depends on the number of events and committee members.

Book Fair: Proceeds from the three-day Book Fair provide new library and classroom books for the school. Committee members set up, run, and take down the fair. Good organizational and people skills are a must, as you will be coordinating many different aspects of the fair. Committee members’ obligations are flexible, but likely will be time intensive leading up to and during the week of the fair.

Box Tops for Education: One or two people run this small fundraiser by picking up Box Tops at school and redeeming them according to the program directions. This position is not terribly time intensive, and can be done mostly at home on your own schedule. The program usually brings in a couple of hundred dollars a year for the school.

Eighth Grade Graduation Celebration: This committee plans and coordinates the PTO-sponsored graduation celebration for the eighth graders. In addition to managing the various details of the celebration, volunteers chaperone the night of the event.

Election Day Raffle: This is a new PTO activity in 2011-12. It will be held on Election Day in the spring, during voting hours, outside the polling place at the Hauser Library. The committee will solicit items for raffle gift baskets and recruit assertive volunteers to sell raffle tickets to voters throughout the day. Proceeds will support PTO activities.

Family Dinner Fundraiser: One of Hauser’s most popular fundraisers is the family dinner and silent auction, which takes place one evening during the Book Fair. Past dinners have featured pasta or soup. The committee coordinates donations of food and auction items, and organizes set-up, serving, and clean-up at the dinner. Time commitment varies depending on the extent of involvement. Proceeds support PTO activities.

Historian: This volunteer opportunity, for one or two people, entails keeping a scrapbook of the year’s activities, with newspaper clippings, photos, and/or written accounts of events. Strong writing skills and a good camera are a plus. This is an ideal role for working parents, as much can be done from home on your own schedule.

Honor Roll Recognition Events: The PTO hosts one or more events to recognize students who make the Honor Roll. These can range from breakfasts, which the committee hosted for many years, to off-campus events such as the movie nights in 2010-11. The committee has the flexibility to plan (with approval of the administration and board) new and creative ways to celebrate student achievement. Volunteer time commitment varies depending on the event(s).

Hospitality: The Hospitality Committee reports to the Vice President of Member Services. The chair of the committee works with the VP to determine which events need the committee’s assistance, and then coordinates volunteers to help at the events throughout the year. Volunteers may be asked to set up, serve, and/or clean-up for events, provide refreshments, act as hosts to welcome attendees, etc. Typical events requiring hospitality committee involvement would be (but are not limited to) PTO meetings, special receptions, a meal for the science fair judges, etc. Great job for a friendly, welcoming, outgoing personality.

Library Volunteers: Library volunteers report to the library staff and help with shelving books, reading shelves, and book repair. Time commitment is very flexible; you help when you are able. Training/library orientation is provided by the staff.

Magazine Drive: Traditionally, this is the PTO’s biggest fundraiser. The committee works with the vendor representative, promotes the drive (with the help of the publicity committee), and keeps the board apprised of the progress of the drive through the VP of Fundraising. This is a great opportunity for working parents, as much of the work can be done online.

Publicity: Volunteers for the Publicity Committee work with other committees to publicize events and activities. This includes promotion to the school community through the PTO website and other communication vehicles, as well as the larger community through local media. Good communication and collaboration skills are a must, as well as attention to detail and ability to work on deadline. This committee is chaired by the VP of Communications.

Spiritwear: The Spiritwear sale occurs at the beginning of the school year. The committee is responsible for all aspects of the sale, from choosing the vendor and items to sell, to creating and distributing the order form and collecting money, to managing distribution of purchased products. Time commitment is moderate while decisions are being made, and when orders arrive for sorting and distribution.

Spring Sidewalk Sale: Hauser PTO’s first annual garage-sale type fundraiser will be held on a Saturday in Spring 2012. The committee will coordinate the collection of merchandise, volunteers and marketing, as well as oversee the sale event. Proceeds will support PTO activities.

Staff/Student Support: This committee responds to requests from teachers for help coordinating or purchasing items for school activities. This includes such for things as purchasing poinsettias for the stage for the holiday concerts, juice boxes for ISAT testing week, corsages for the eighth grade music students’ final performances, and treats to follow the awards assembly. This committee also takes up special collections if needed during the year.

Teacher Appreciation: This committee is responsible for meals for the staff during parent/teacher conferences in the fall, as well as the traditional luncheon and events during teacher appreciation week in May. There are varied opportunities for committee members, with jobs appropriate for whatever time you are able to give. The committee is encouraged to be creative with themes and activities. Volunteer committee can be time intensive leading up to the events.

As Needed: Can’t commit, but don’t mind being called from time to time to buy cookies or help out on a particular evening? Let us know that you might be able to help if we’re looking for an extra set of hands from time to time.