Comments on: We Are Only Volunteers

By: Read a Book, Give a Book | Soapbox Mom

Read a Book, Give a Book | Soapbox Mom — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:40:21 +0000

[...] readers of this blog know how much I love books. I’ve co-chaired the Book Fair at our kids’ school for several years, taught Junior Great Books (another program I strongly [...]

By: Adding a New Dimension | Soapbox Mom

Adding a New Dimension | Soapbox Mom — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:27:22 +0000

[...] written many posts about books, my love of books and my experiences with book fairs. My daughter and I have hosted many podcasts about books – from picture books to [...]

By: SoapB

SoapB — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:26:56 +0000

Ah, those were the days, no? Valentine balloon for a crush.

I (for whatever reason) feel a need to clarify that it’s not the school’s PTO (probably b/c some of the PTO members might read this…). It was the company that let us down. The PTO is amazing and really involved and very successful (there, how’s that, guys?).

By: Deb (Missives From Suburbia)

Deb (Missives From Suburbia) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:52:34 +0000

I think a lot of school fundraisers are like that. The gift wrap/holiday card sales that a lot of clubs and schools participate in yield very little money. We used to get pretty creative when I was in school (back in the olden days) and do bake sales, plant sales, etc., and for every holiday, we delivered "telegrams" from class-to-class. You could send your friends or crush a Valentine balloon and note (or holiday card, spring flowers, etc.), and we sold them for $2-3 apiece. We always made great profits on those. Deb (Missives From Suburbia)'s last blog post..This Post Brought to You By the Number 19

By: SoapB

SoapB — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:00:42 +0000

@ Dan:
So true, so true.

@ SM:
That is a fantastic idea. I think the other people on the committee will agree. Thanks so much for your comment!

By: Scattered Mom

Scattered Mom — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Would I have spent 10 hrs a day for five days on a book fair that didn’t benefit the school, but a company?

No.

I have to admit, where we are the book fairs really aren’t a bargain anyhow, and I tend to not buy from them. I’d rather hit up the local Indigo/Chapters clearance section and go from there. Also, the tons of crap that is NOT books (toys/pens/posters/etc) are just a money grab because that’s what the kids who don’t have enough to buy the books get.

I love books. I’m addicted to them! How about having a book swap instead where everyone donates their used books, and ALL the money goes back to the school?

Scattered Mom’s last blog post..Heaven for Bees

By: dan leone

dan leone — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 03:11:54 +0000

You certainly have a right to be a tad tired and cranky after such a hard week.

I just wanted to say that I love to see how an effective PTO can make things happen. Our school has no such community spirit (for many reasons that I won’t go into). SPC (Student-Parent Councils…our version of the PTO) consists of monthly meeting with me and two other parents and the principal. Somehow we organize all the events, but of course these events are not of the same scope as yours, but still. It ALWAYS falls on just a few parents to get anything done.

Oh well, have fun, SBM!

Dan

dan leone’s last blog post..Good company is more important than good wine.

_____________________

That stinks, doesn’t it? I was actually just annoyed by the company that ran the event (oops, see? I wish that were true – they should have run the event but they didn’t). I wish they would’ve provided more support. Our PTO folks saved the day; really came through when we needed it. The company? Not so much.

Sorry to hear about your situation, though! Sounds like it leaves you working harder than you should be!

At the end of the day? I keep telling myself this: “At least the kids benefit. That’s what it’s all about, right?”

[SoapyB]