Stop Asking for Volunteers, Start Asking for "Experts"

As teachers, we've all been there. It's the annual "Volunteers Needed!" plea, sent out with the best intentions, often met with... crickets. You need help with reading groups, a hand on the excursion or just an extra pair of hands for craft day. But for many busy Aussie families, traditional "volunteering" – committing to a regular slot in class – simply isn't feasible. Juggling work, other kids and life's endless demands leaves little room for a weekly reading roster.

The good news? That doesn't mean parents don't want to be involved. They absolutely do. We just need to change the way we ask.

It's time to stop asking for "volunteers" and start asking for "experts."

 

The Problem with "Volunteers"

The word "volunteer" often conjures images of long-term commitment, mundane tasks or simply "filling a gap." For parents who might not feel confident in a classroom setting or who have demanding jobs, it feels like another burden. We inadvertently exclude a wealth of talent and enthusiasm because our request doesn't align with their capacity or perceived ability.

 

The Power of "Experts"

Imagine instead asking your school community: "What's your superpower?"

By reframing our call-out from generic "helpers" to specific "experts," we achieve several powerful things:

1. Lowering the Barrier to Entry: Parents don't need to commit to weekly slots. They can offer a one-off, high-impact contribution.
2. Boosting Parent Confidence: It's much easier to say "yes" to talking about your passion or profession for 15 minutes than to commit to an unknown, open-ended "help" request.
3. Unlocking Hidden Talent: You'll be amazed at the diverse skills and knowledge within your school community.
4. Enriching the Curriculum: Real-world connections bring learning to life in ways textbooks simply can't.
5. Building Community: Parents feel valued, seen and truly connected to the school in a meaningful way.

 

How to Find Your School's Hidden Experts: A Simple Survey

The best way to tap into this goldmine of expertise is with a simple, clear and engaging survey. Here’s how you can do it:

1. The Initial Brainstorm: Think about your curriculum. What topics are coming up in science, HASS, art or technology? Are you doing a unit on 'Our Community'? Planning a school fete?

 

2. Craft a Compelling Survey: Send out a short, online survey (Google Forms works a treat!) to all families. Frame it around their unique skills and passions.

Example Survey Questions:

• "What's your job or profession? (e.g., architect, nurse, chef, tradie, graphic designer, musician, journalist, scientist)"
• "What are your hobbies or passions? (e.g., gardening, coding, photography, sport, history, knitting, playing an instrument)"
• "Do you have a unique skill or cultural background you'd be willing to share? (e.g., speak another language, play a specific instrument, have a family story to tell, run a small business)"
• "Are there any specific topics you could speak about for 15-30 minutes or offer a short demonstration for a class?"
• "Are there any behind-the-scenes skills you could offer for school events (e.g., design posters, manage social media, set up sound equipment)?"
• "What is your general availability? (e.g., evenings, weekends, school holidays, during school hours on specific days/weeks)"

 

3. Categorise and Connect: Once responses come in, create a spreadsheet or database to categorise the expertise. Then, when a need arises, you're ready to make a targeted request.

Real-World Examples of "Experts" in Action:

• The Graphic Designer: Could run a 20-minute session for the Year 5s on logo design for their 'start-up' project.
• The Carpenter: Might help the drama club design and build a simple, sturdy set for the school play.
• The Nurse/Paramedic: A fantastic addition to a 'Body Systems' unit in Science, talking about first aid or the human heart.
• The Chef/Baker: Could lead a cooking demonstration for a healthy eating unit or help with the school canteen's special event.
• The Small Business Owner: Could talk to older students about entrepreneurship, marketing or customer service.
• The Avid Gardener: Could help establish a vegetable patch for the school or teach about local native plants.
• The Musician: Could visit the music class to demonstrate their instrument or discuss their journey as a performer.
• The Journalist: Could help the school newspaper team with interviewing techniques or writing headlines.

The Broader Impact

This shift isn't just about getting more hands-on help; it's about fundamentally enriching the school experience for everyone. Students see real-world applications of their learning, teachers gain valuable curriculum connections and parents feel genuinely valued for their unique contributions. It builds a stronger, more connected school community where everyone's skills are recognised and celebrated.

So, ditch the generic volunteer request. Start digging for the goldmine of expertise hiding in plain sight among your school families. You'll be amazed at what you discover!

 

Sources

While the "Stop Asking for Volunteers, Start Asking for Experts" framing is a conceptual reframing often discussed in educational leadership and parent engagement workshops, the underlying principles are well-supported by research and best practices in community engagement:

• Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, Family and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action (4th ed.). This seminal work highlights six types of parent involvement, emphasising that schools should diversify their approach to engagement beyond traditional volunteering to include learning at home, decision-making and collaborating with the community.
• Henderson, A. T., & Mapp, K. L. (2002). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement. This research synthesis strongly concludes that when families are involved in ways that are linked to student learning, students achieve more. Broadening the definition of involvement to include expertise directly aligns with this.
• ACARA (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority). The Australian Curriculum encourages schools to build community connections and provide real-world learning opportunities, which expert parent contributions directly facilitate.
• Various educational leadership and parent engagement blogs/organisations: Many contemporary educational thought leaders advocate for shifting from a deficit model (what parents can't do) to an asset-based model (what parents can do) when it comes to involvement. The "experts" approach is a practical application of this.