Getting Involved

Why Volunteer?

You’re busy. Really busy. You’ve got a thousand things on your plate and a never-ending list of things you actually have to do. So, why should you volunteer to take on something else? Why should you volunteer at St. Martin’s?

It’s good for your kids.

Volunteers make possible many of the events, programs, and initiatives that benefit all SMES students, yours included. Moreover, decades of research shows that kids whose parents are actively involved in their school have better grades, higher test scores, more positive peer relationships, and fewer disciplinary problems. They even have lower rates of depression.

It’s good for you.

Volunteering at SMES is a great way to meet other parents, make new friends, and reconnect with people you haven’t seen all that much since 2020. In other words, it can be fun! Volunteering is personally gratifying and good for you, too. Experts have found that people who volunteer are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, have lower blood pressure, and live longer than those who don’t.

It’s good for our school.

Parent volunteers are the wheels on the proverbial school bus that keep it rolling smoothly. Among other things, volunteers provide support for our teachers and administrators, help onboard new families, and raise resources critical to the operation of our school and the education of our children. They make possible events and programs that build connections and strengthen the sense of community that makes St. Martin’s so special.

It’s doesn’t take much.

There are a number of volunteer opportunities for SMES parents, most of which don’t require much of your time. Even just a few minutes can make a difference. The bottom line is that we need your help, and any amount of time you can spare will be appreciated. We will not push you to commit to more than you are willing and able to give. Really.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways for parents to get involved at SMES, and this section contains an overview of those parent volunteer opportunities. If you don’t see anything that piques your interest or fits your skill set, don’t be afraid to reach out to the PTO Presidents or your child’s division principal to find out if there are other ways you can get involved.

THE ST. MARTIN’S FUND

Our school relies on parent volunteers to encourage participation in the St. Martin’s Fund. True, the St. Martin’s Fund is the school’s highest giving priority, and it is the school’s most important fundraising activity. But don’t let that intimidate you! Volunteering for the St. Martin’s Fund Committee is actually a pretty easy gig. You don’t need any prior fundraising experience – Lauren Sims, our fabulous Director of Advancement, will train you. You can basically set your own schedule, and it does not require a ton of time. (Especially this year since most people probably made their pledges right after reading the previous section of this guide, right? Didn’t you? Hint, hint.) Seriously, though, volunteering to serve on the St. Martin’s Fund Committee is an easy way to make a big difference for our school. If you’re interested, contact Lauren at lsims@ stmartinschool.org.

THE SMES PTO

The PTO provides many opportunities throughout the year for parents to get involved at SMES. Some parents can’t wait to sign up, and we thank you for your enthusiasm. Others are thinking, “nope, I’m not that kind of parent” while replaying the Bad Moms bake sale scene in your head. If that’s you, we urge you to think again. We’re not some syndicate of Machiavellian moms with militant organizational skills, an inordinate love of bake sales, and a penchant for world domination. We’re just a group of parents who, like you, love our kids and want to help give them the educational experience they deserve. A Place for every parent. The SMES PTO has a place for every parent. Moms and dads. Stay-athome parents and working parents. PTO noobs and veteran volunteers. Whatever your adjectives and whatever your pronouns, we have a place for you. If you’re willing to show up and help out, we will be thrilled to have you. Period. Room for every schedule. We have volunteer opportunities that fit every schedule. (Did you know most of our volunteers work outside of the home?) We have volunteer opportunities on weekends and weekdays before, during, and after school hours. Some of those opportunities literally require just a few minutes of your time. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the 2022-23 Volunteer Opportunities Catalogue on the “Events & Programs” section of our website (thesmespto.org/2022), which lists opportunities by event, by time commitment required, by day of the week, and time of day. How to Volunteer Signing up to help with a PTO program or event is easy! All you need is internet access and a SignUpGenius account. (You can create one for free at signupgenius.com.) Most of our volunteer sign-ups will go live (i.e., we’ll post them on the “Volunteer Opportunities” page of the PTO website) on Friday, August 12. The PTO Room Representative sign-up will go live Tuesday, August 16. Sign-ups for EC and ES Field Day will go live in the spring. Don’t worry – you’ll get an email with a link to the Volunteer Opportunities page when the sign-ups are available. Spots on many of the sign-ups fill up quickly, so plan ahead and sign up early. We should note that if you’re interested in chairing a PTO committee, make sure to fill out the “Willingness to Serve” form when it goes out this spring. You can also reach out to the PTO Presidents.