The value of volunteers

I couldn't wait until my kids were in school, because I couldn't wait to be a PTA mom. Based on my experiences over the past six years, about half of the parents out there just went, "I know, right?" and the other half of you went, "OMG, what is wrong with you?"

During the 20-plus years that I have been coaching, I have learned that the most successful teams are the ones that have the best parent organizations. By successful, I don't mean that they have the most wins, I mean that being around that team is an enjoyable experience for everyone around them.

Organizations with good parent support tend to have well-organized events. They have plentiful concession stands, which minimizes the number of "hangry" sports fans. They run a good meet, there are plenty of parent volunteers to fill in where needed, so there is no delay of play because we need another person to do (fill-in the blank).

Coaches aren't stressed out by trying to run everything themselves, so they have time to focus on what's important: the little athletes and getting them to do their best. This helps the kids to be confident and know exactly what is expected of them. Coaches can maintain their composure and set a good example of sportsmanship.

Now, imagine a team that has the exact opposite of that. Coaches trying to do it all, things running late because needed help isn't available, and on top of that, everyone is whining because they are hungry. Ugh. I don't want my kid on that team!

The same goes for every other organization that relies on parent support and participation. In this day and age, that's just about all of them, including schools, which face tight budgets and rely more and more on parents to help make up the difference for all the little extras that make schools special places.

All too often, I run across parents who feel that they've paid their registration fee, which many times is no small chunk of change, and their work is done. I know that the reality is that when I pay that registration fee, I haven't just signed my kid up for something, I've signed myself up as well.

Many of the organizations that the kids belong to have volunteer language written into the registration form, and some won't even accept the form unless that part is signed by the parent.

Here's the thing about being a parent volunteer for the organization that your kid belongs to: It shows your kids that you're as committed to their efforts as they are. It also gives you something to do besides sit on the sidelines and obsess about their performance.

I will admit that the single biggest reason I would rather be a volunteer than a spectator is because it keeps me from being "that" parent on the sideline screaming at my kid to kick the ball.

As a coach, I also suffer a little bit of performance anxiety for all of my kids the night before our competitions, so it helps that I have to be up early to make a pot of barbecue or cook 20 pounds of pierogies. Of course, it also means that I'm not really focusing on the task at hand and I end up spilling 49 ounces of ketchup on the floor at 5 a.m.

I know it was 49, because I needed 54, and I was in the middle of rooting through the pantry for another bottle of ketchup, and in my haste, knocked over the measuring cup. These things happen.

Sometimes it's hard being the new parent on the block. I am as guilty having been around forever and assuming everyone else knows how things are done.

Sometimes there are jobs that need to be done by someone with experience, and it may take partnering up with that person to learn how to do the job right. Organizations need to be aware of that need and plan for parents who may be moving on as their kids get older.

Organizations also need to be aware that it's not just parents who are parenting these days.

Many times, grandparents have stepped up and there may be roles that are tough for them to fill. Having a variety of different jobs or tasks can help get more people to help out in a way they are comfortable participating.

Using high-tech options like Sign-up Genius have been a game-changer for me. This online program allows me to see what volunteer spots are open and what donations are needed in real time.

Many of the organizations include small descriptions of what a job entails or specifics of how to package cookies, or how many hot dogs to bring. I love this program because it also allows me to send reminders directly to my calendar, so my calendar is blocked out with my time slot and my grocery list is available at all times.

I've seen Sign-up Genius used for donations, volunteer assignments, even attendance. If your organization isn't using it, they should be.

Volunteering isn't fun or glamorous, and sometimes, when you're chopping up your 800th tomato for walking tacos, you really do wonder if it's all worth it. But then the lane line in the pool snaps, and there is plenty of money in the team's bank account to buy a new one, and a major crisis is averted, and you realize that it really is worth it.

Liz Pinkey is a contributing writer to the Times News. Her column appears weekly in our Saturday feature section.