Starting a Great Books K-12 Volunteer Program
- What are the costs for materials and training?
- How can volunteers get involved with Great Books K–12 programs?
- Can volunteers start a Great Books K-12 program?
- What do volunteers need to do when they are planning a Great Books K–12 program?
- Does volunteering require teaching experience?
- What training does the Foundation provide for volunteers?
- How can I arrange for training at my child's school?
- How can volunteers fund Great Books K–12 programs?
- What makes a volunteer program successful?
- What if I have additional questions?
What are the costs for materials and training?
Registration for our Parent Leader Training Workshop (PLTW) is $129 ($149 if registration is less than 3 weeks before the course date).
Contact the sales representative for your state for more information.
How can volunteers get involved with Great Books K–12 programs?
Volunteers can participate in several ways:
- by leading a Great Books K-12 program as an extracurricular activity during lunch periods, after school, or on weekends
- by leading a Great Books K-12 program as an enrichment program during the school day with groups of children selected by the teacher or school staff
- by assisting the teacher in leading discussion or conducting other Great Books K-12 program activities with students in the classroom
Great Books programs are available for grades K–12, so you can start a program for students in the elementary, middle, or high school years.
Can volunteers start a Great Books K–12 program?
Yes! Only two or three committed people are needed to launch a new Great Books K–12 program by:
- talking to the principal or classroom teacher to find out where help is most needed
- helping with fundraising projects (if the school budget does not fund the program)
- helping generate interest in the program among other parents, volunteers, and students. The Great Books Foundation can provide program information and references to other Great Books K–12 programs in your area. Contact the sales representative for your state for more information.
What do volunteers need to do when they are planning a Great Books K–12 program?
- Designate a program coordinator for your school. This important person:
- serves as a liaison with other volunteers
- arranges for funding and community support
- orders materials
- acts as the site contact with the Great Books Foundation
- arranges for volunteers to be trained
- serves as a liaison with other volunteers
- Work with school staff to plan the program schedule, keeping in mind:
- length of discussion period (30&
- #150;60 minutes, depending on age group)
- number of days a week the group(s) will meet
- number of volunteers needed to lead discussion groups (many enjoy co-leading with a partner)
Does volunteering require teaching experience?
No! The most important things for a volunteer to have are an interest in working with children and an appreciation of literature. The only requirement for leading a Great Books groupa is to complete the Parent Leader Training Workshop offered by the Foundation. This course provides all the background you need.
What training does the Foundation provide for volunteers?
The Foundation offers a customized one-day Parent Leader Training Workshop specifically for parent volunteers.
How can I arrange for training at my child's school?
- Find a location that meets the following criteria:
- Open 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (the course is usually held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
- Easily accessible (public libraries, schools, and district offices are the most common sites)
- Can hold 25 people sitting at adult-size tables in a circle or square formation
- Provides ample parking
- Provides equipment for showing videos
- Work with a sales representative from the Foundation to arrange a date and time for the course. Pick a date far in advance to take advantage of the Foundation's national advertising and website course announcements.
- Recruit participants from your school or program and work with Foundation staff to ensure that enrollment is at least 15 participants.
How can volunteers fund Great Books K–12 programs?
Possible ways to fund a volunteer program include:
- approaching your local PTA/PTO
- holding special fundraising events
- having students purchase their own books
- soliciting grants from local businesses and community organizations
- using school or district funds
Contact the sales representative for your state to discuss ways to fund your volunteer program.
What makes a volunteer program successful?
- Teamwork. Planning for your program's needs and delegating responsibilities is essential. Creating separate committees for fundraising, publicity, overseeing training and leader recruitment, and ordering materials can help make your implementation smooth and successful.
- Communication. It is important for volunteers to feel they are part of the Great Books community. Meetings keep leaders' enthusiasm high and reinforce common goals. Schedule meetings regularly to share ideas, prepare for discussions, and coach each other. Also remember to communicate with teachers, school administrators, and parents—newsletters to school staff, volunteers, students, and parents of students in the program can help keep everyone in touch with your program's success.
- Spirit. Much of the excitement of Great Books comes from the open atmosphere of the shared search for understanding in a work of literature. Foster a cooperative environment and encourage creative thinking by showing respect for students' ideas.
- Development. Enthusiastic parents, teachers, and students strengthen and develop the program as a matter of course. Volunteers who continue to spread the word about Great Books and enlist new leaders are highly successful in building the support they need.
See also: Tips for a Successful Volunteer Program
What if I have additional questions?
We're here to help. Contact the sales representative for your state.
