Meridian Volunteers in Partnership ( ViP )

1. Meridian Volunteers in Partnership(ViP) Open Session Jan 24, Feb 15, Feb 23

2. What is ViP? • A parent-run, membership-free volunteer organization which coordinates volunteer activities at Meridian. Not affiliated with PTA. • Partners with Meridian administration to support the staff, our students, and Meridian’s mission • Made up of nine (9) committees: Community Events, Development, Facilities, Library, Lion Dads, Publicity/Communications, School Life, Staff Appreciation, Triple A • Encourage all Meridian families to get involved through ViP • More information: vipleaders@mwschool.org

3. What to Expect Expect… • Volunteer coordination • Parent run • Leadership team structure • Plans fully aligned and approved by administration • To meet new people at Meridian Don’t expect… • An advocacy organization • A PTA • A fee-based organization • All the answers 

4. ViP Committees • Community Events • Co-Leaders: Jessica Boese and Amy Linkous • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Planning, Coordinating, assisting events to foster unity, collaboration and communication within grades and across grades. • Development • Co-Leaders: Teresa Miller and Alexia Thex • Key Responsibilities: Grant Writing, Annual Giving, Large Fundraisers, Fundraiser awareness/coordination • Facilities and Grounds • Co-Leaders: Gina/Brian Dieringer and TBD • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Playground, Gardens, Structures • Lion Dads • Co-Leaders: Joe Stippick and Russell Harris • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Small Building Projects, Maintenance Assistance, Technology/Science (?) • Library • Co-Leaders: Alexia Thex and Laura Helpert • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Library Development, Birthday Books, Donations, Wish List, Book Fair (Collection, Fundraising, Staffing)

5. ViP Committees • Publicity/Communications • Co-Leaders: Robyn Tester and Kiersty Lombar • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Internal and External Communications, ViP Website & Newsletters, Press Releases/Publicity • School Life • Co-Leaders: Lori Kuhlmann and Carmen Garudo • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Health and Wellness (including Real Lunch Program), Field Day, Arrival, Uniform Exchange, Yearbook (?) • Staff Appreciation • Co-Leaders: Jessica Boese and Lisa Mack • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Teacher Breakfasts and Luncheons, Teacher appreciation day/week, random acts of kindness  • Triple A • Co-Leaders: TBD • Scope/Key Responsibilities: Volunteer support for Triple A, including communications, event support, team sport support, and more!

6. Community Events Planning, Coordinating, assisting events to foster unity, collaboration and communication within grades and across grades. Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • All School Event/Picnic • 6-8th Grade Social • Child care during Playground Build Event • Other? What needs to be done? • Event planning • Make sure we communicate details of events • Donate decorations/food for events • Volunteer at the events • Help coordinate the event volunteers • Provide ideas on how to enhance the sense of community To get involved email: Jessica Boese at Jessica.boese@gmail.com OR Amy Linkous at amylinkous@austin.rr.com

7. Development Grant Writing, Annual Giving, Large Fundraisers, Fundraiser awareness/coordination Priorities for 2011-12 • Founders’ Wall and Annual Giving Database Completion • Corporate and Foundation Introduction Strategy • Implement Event Strategies to help raise fund immediately for Meridian School What needs to be done? • Grant writing • Event support for spring fundraising • Solicitation for the silent auction • Pick up donation from donors • Online solicitations for auction • Volunteer at events, as needed To get involved email: Alexia Thex at ajthex03@thexfamily.com OR Teresa Miller at teresatmiller42@yahoo.com

8. Facilities and Grounds Playground, Gardens, Structures Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Playground • Dust mitigation strategy • Painting (summer) • Other? What needs to be done? • Participate in playground build activities • Help plan future playground efforts • Dust mitigation/sod • Rock cleanup • Help with school painting over summer • General facilities volunteering To get involved email: Gina or Brian Dieringer at ginamcd@falconstorage.com

9. Lion Dads Small Building Projects, Maintenance Assistance, Technology/Science Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Finish carpentry for storage • Research DIY security options • Projector installation What needs to be done? • Project support • Handyman-type work • Volunteer on as needed basis • Build an understanding of the skills/interests our Lion Dads have • Research or expertise on security options To get involved email: Russell Harris at russell.harris@sbcglobal.net OR Joe Stippick at caseymichelle86@hotmail.com

10. Publicity/Communications Internal and External Communications, ViP Website & Newsletters, Press Releases/Publicity Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Press Releases/Packages • Overall Communications Plan • Website • Directory (?) What needs to be done? • Content creation • Website management • Address key communication gaps • Writing, editing, proofing • Build media relations To get involved email: Kiersty Lombar at klombar@kw.com or Robyn Tester at rtester@austin.rr.com

11. School Life Health and Wellness (including Real Lunch Program), Field Day, Arrival, Uniform Exchange, Yearbook Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Food policy • Car Line/Arrival • School Supplies • Uniform Exchange • T-shirts • Yearbook • Other??? What needs to be done? • Revise food policy for 2012-13 • Project management • Volunteer for car line • Help establish bulk school supply processes • Develop a uniform exchange plan/methodology • Take over t-shirt sales/school items • Support roll out of inaugural yearbook (submit photos, content collection, etc) To get involved email: Lori Kuhlmann at Lori@Kuhlmann.com OR Carmen Garudo at garudo@sbcglobal.net

12. Staff Appreciation Teacher Breakfasts and Luncheons, Teacher appreciation day Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Monthly appreciation events • Teacher appreciation day • IB Visit • Thanksgiving pies • Random acts of kindness to the staff What needs to be done? • Coordinate a monthly event • Plan teacher appreciation day • Provide food for monthly event or IB visit • Offer ideas on random acts of kindness • Bake a pie To get involved email: Jessica Boese at Jessica.boese@gmail.com OR Lisa Mack at lmmack12@gmail.com

13. Triple A Volunteer support for Triple A, including communications, event support, team sport support, and more! Priorities for 2011-12 (WIP) • Establish co-leaders • Monthly events (find volunteers) • Communications • Process support What needs to be done? • Co-lead the volunteer efforts • Help with communications for Triple A • Volunteer at an event or with a team • Help solve process issues • Partner with Triple A staff To get involved email: Jennifer Jackson at vipleaders@mwschool.org

14. General Volunteering • Not tied to one committee? • Check the General Volunteering box on the sign in • We will reach out with ad hoc needs • Volunteer as a soldier wherever you see a fit

15. How to get involved… • Fill in your contact information TODAY • Express interest in helping in as many committees as you like • Attend the kickoff meetings • Check the new ViP webpage when the school website goes up • Watch for our next newsletter • Contact vipleaders@mwschool.org any time

16. Thank you!Questions?