There are many committees within the PTA that get to put their own stamp on the various events and functions that the PTA supports. Any of these committees would love to have your time and talents on their team! If you are interested in learning more about any of these committees, please visit their page and please reach out to anyone involved or the PTA board. We want to answer your questions and have you involved!
2022-23 Horace Mann School PTA Volunteer Program & Event Descriptions
Team Non-Fundraiser Volunteer Opportunities
Art Adventure: This art appreciation program is sponsored by the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Volunteers receive 3 hours of training, then present works of art in the classroom. Volunteers are invited to the mia for a field trip with the class. 15-20 volunteers needed.
Recognition/Thank you Coordination: Volunteer to assist with writing thank you notes for donations and volunteer work. This work can be done on your own time and all supplies and postage will be provided. Volunteers also needed to help with back to school and teacher/staff recognition treats. 5 volunteers needed.
Landscape Team: Volunteers assist in the planning, maintenance, and beautification of our school grounds and playground. No gardening experience needed and some tools are provided. 5-20 volunteers needed.
PTA Directory Team: Work with a group to collect data for the PTA sponsored student directory. Then produce and distribute the directories to each HM family. Most of the work is done in September. 10-15 volunteers needed.
Teacher Conference Meals (November and/or March): Provide a portion of a meal to our teachers for one night during conferences. Opportunities to sign up for a main dish, side dish, or dessert is typical. Delivery to school by 3:00 pm is required. 20-40 volunteers needed. We are also looking for a co-chair for this group this year – if interested, please contact Chandra Kilgriff at volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org.
Yearbook Team: Coordinate the creation of the HM Yearbook with LIfetouch, Inc. Work with other parents/guardians to gather pictures, work with the teachers and principal, use the online resources for creation, and distribute information about the yearbook. This is a year-long committee, but most of the work is done online at your own time & place. 3-5 volunteers needed.
Membership Coordination: Volunteer to help with the HM PTA membership. Update forms and payment methods and provide data-entry at the beginning of the year. 5 volunteers needed.
5th Grade Ambassador Coordination: 5th Grade Families volunteer to help organize the student Ambassadorś that provide various jobs (recycling, child-care at meetings, open house tours) to earn credit toward the cost of the Eagle Bluff field trip. 5 volunteers needed.
Event/Fundraiser Volunteer Opportunities
Business Partnerships: On-going throughout the year: The PTA has partnered with local businesses such as Punch Pizza and Poppy to take advantage of their reward programs. These programs give back to our school by generating revenue (5-50%) through purchases our families make on designated Horace Mann Nights. 5-10 volunteers need to contact, coordinate, and publicize partnership nights. We are also looking for someone to chair these efforts this year – if interested, please contact Chandra Kilgriff at volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org.
Free Family Fun Nights: On-going throughout the year: Volunteer to assist in informal free school gatherings like Movie and BINGO nights or your ideas for school-wide fun. Sign up for one gathering or many. You choose what works for you! 5-15 volunteers needed.
Silent & Live Auction: On-going throughout the year: This is a fabulous off-site, adult only fund-raising event for the school–our biggest of the year! Volunteers are needed for planning on several committees throughout the year. As well as working at the event. Please join us at one or all of our monthly planning meetings–everyone is welcome. 20-30 volunteers needed.
Box Tops for Education: On-going throughout the year: This fundraising program is sponsored by General Mills. The box tops program is going virtual but as they are phasing out the cut-and-send system we will be doing both. These box tops are redeemed for cash to HM. Everyone can collect box tops to benefit the school! The work is done at your own time and place. 1-2 volunteers needed to coordinate.
Read-A-Thon: November (Planning: One meeting per month, roughly July-December): The Horace Mann Read-A-Thon (RAT) is a fantastic event that encourages good reading habits and serves as one of the largest fundraisers at Horace Mann. Each year the RAT Committee decides on a theme, provides grade appropriate books to each student, and asks students to track their reading and collect pledges for minutes read. At the end of the RAT, students and classrooms are recognized for reading and tracking their minutes. 4-6 volunteers are needed to serve on the committee. Tasks include: deciding a theme, purchasing books, updating RAT packets to be sent home, assembling packets, planning the RAT kick-off and closing ceremony, and collecting forms and money raised.
Scholastic Book Fair: November : Held in November during Fall conferences. Scholastic books are sold over 3 days at a display at the school. Help set up, work the register, or take down the fair. 12-15 volunteers needed.
Make It, Take It: December: Everyone is invited to join in the free fun of creating great crafts and gifts for every age! Volunteers are needed to help plan craft activities and/or staffing the event. No craft experience necessary. Looking for 15-20 volunteers. We are also looking for a co-chair for this team this year – if interested, please contact Chandra Kilgriff at volunteer.coordinator@hms-pta.org.
Family Volunteer Service Night: 1-2 Events During the Year: The Family Volunteer Service team creates opportunities for families to spend time together learning, working and caring for others while empowering our students as they discover that they truly can make a difference! The team typically organizes 1-2 events or other activities during the year, with the main event typically in February or March. 10-15 volunteers needed to plan and to work the night of the event.
Spring Plant Sale: May: This spring fundraiser provides beautiful plants for sale from Gerten’s and Wagner’s nurseries (via pre-paid orders). The sale requires volunteers the day of delivery to unload, sort, and organize the plants. 10-15 volunteers needed for plant pick up.
Carnival: June : This is a free fun-filled end of the year celebration of games, activities, and food. It is one of the highlights of the school year! Volunteers are needed for planning and coordination of the event. This school wide event relies on participation from the entire school community. Volunteers can help with the planning on one of several sub-committees or help the day of: 60-75 volunteers are needed for 2 hour shifts the night of the event.