Who Are Your Volunteers and How to Find Them: The 70/15/15 Rule

Finding the right volunteers for your school is essential to building a strong community and achieving your goals. Whether you’re organizing events or planning online fundraising for schools, having a reliable team can make all the difference.

But how do you identify and recruit those who are eager to help, or those that would be willing to if only asked? The 70/15/15 Rule is a simple way to understand the different types of volunteers and how to connect with them.

At ClassroomParent, we know how important it is to streamline communication and create opportunities for involvement. With the right tools and approach, your school can build a thriving group of dedicated supporters who make every initiative a success.

Understanding the 70/15/15 Rule

The 70/15/15 Rule is a golden principle in volunteer management. Its idea is simple yet powerful—roughly one-third of your volunteers come from three key groups:

• 70% are parents within the classroom or school. These are parents with children attending your school who have a clear vested interest in its success.
• 15% are professional volunteers. These individuals bring specific skills, expertise, or resources from their professional lives to enrich school programs.
• 15% are community members. These are locals passionate about education and giving back, often without direct ties to the school.

By understanding and addressing the motivations of each group, you can create a sustainable pipeline of willing participants eager to contribute their time and talent to your programs.

Who Are Your Volunteers?

1. The School Parent

School parents are typically the backbone of school volunteering efforts. They’re the ones helping with bake sales, supervising field trips, organizing teacher appreciation days, monitoring lunchrooms, or helping with pickup and drop-off.

Motivations:

• Desire to positively impact their child’s educational experience.
• Eagerness to connect with other parents and build community.

Challenges:

• Busy schedules often mean balancing work, family, and school commitments.

How to Engage Them:

• Offer flexible, bite-sized opportunities—like tasks that can be done remotely or during school hours.
• Clearly communicate how their contributions directly benefit their children.

2. The Professional Volunteer

The professional volunteer brings invaluable expertise to your school. They might be an accountant offering financial planning for fundraisers, a graphic designer creating event posters, or a career mentor hosting workshops for students.

Motivations:

• Desire to share their expertise with the next generation.
• A passion for community service and a chance to make an impact.

Challenges:

• Time constraints, especially for professionals with 9-to-5 jobs.

How to Engage Them:

• Align their expertise with your school's needs (e.g., asking engineers to help with STEM fairs).
• Celebrate their contributions publicly, such as in newsletters or during school events.

3. The Community Member

Community members are those who see schools as the foundation for a better society. They may be retirees, neighbors without children, or alumni looking to stay involved.

Motivations:

• A strong passion for contributing to a cause that matters.
• A sense of belonging to the local community.

Challenges:

• They might need more information about how their time will impact the school.

How to Engage Them:

• Host open-school events where community members can learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Create roles that don’t require insider knowledge of the school, like organizing library books or maintaining school grounds.

How to Find and Engage Volunteers

• Use Multiple Channels for Outreach: Emails, Facebook groups, and a “Volunteer Opportunities” section on your school’s website.
• Make It Personal: Use specific examples to share how volunteers can make an impact.
• Offer Clear Roles: Provide detailed descriptions of time commitments and tasks.
• Show Gratitude: Send thank-you notes or host appreciation events.
• Create a Strong Onboarding Process: Offer training sessions and pair new volunteers with experienced ones.

The Role of Technology in Volunteer Management

Managing communications can be overwhelming without the right tools. That’s where ClassroomParent comes in:

• Centralized Communication: Send updates and reminders from one platform.
• Automated Reminders: Ensure no task is forgotten.
• Volunteer Matching: Pair opportunities with the right individuals.
• Recurring Volunteer Opportunities: Manage ongoing roles with ease.

By simplifying communication, ClassroomParent helps administrators focus on building lasting relationships with volunteers.

Unlock the Potential of Your Volunteers

Volunteers can transform your school into a thriving hub. By understanding the 70/15/15 Rule and tailoring your approach, you can build a dynamic volunteer network that supports your mission.