Volunteer Opportunities at a Glance

Annual Auction Gala

What: The Annual Auction is Portledge School’s major fundraising event. The Auction is a huge effort involving all parents as well as some past parents and friends of the School. The funds raised help to defray the yearly operating costs of Portledge. It is crucial that we attract new talent, new leadership, and new assistance each year to this important event. Each committee is led by a chairperson and vice-chair with the vice-chair serving for two years: year one as vice-chair, year two as chair. Each spring the vice-chair is asked to submit recommendations for vice chair to the Advancement Office for review by the event chair and the Advancement Committee. Chairs are responsible for recruiting their volunteer committee members. Committees include raffle, decorating, journal, silent auction and live auction.

When: April (Preparation: September-April)

Who: Chairperson appointed by the Former Chairperson or Chairs and the Director of Advancement and ratified by the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees; Committee chairs appointed by the Chairperson and Director of Advancement in consultation with the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Champions for Charity

What: Champions for Charity is an annual holiday shopping benefit designed to raise funds for the Portledge School Financial Aid Fund. During the three day program over 70 participating Americana Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza Stores donate 25% of designated pre-tax purchase to Portledge School. This team of volunteers helps organize group(s) of parents to shop at the event; thanks shoppers with a note after the event.

When: Late Nov - Early Dec

Who: All parents are welcome to join this team; Chairperson appointed by the Parents Association President and the Director of Advancement.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation

What: The FSAC organizes and implements gestures to support the good work of the school’s faculty and staff. Currently such efforts include a year-end luncheon for the entire faculty and staff.
When: Ongoing

Founders Day

What: Founders Day brings together the entire Portledge community to honor our past and celebrate our future and designed to be a fun filled family event. The Founders Day Committee begins organizing in late spring for the following year and some work may be done over the summer. Volunteer opportunities range from managing arts and crafts booths and decorating to manning the breakfast and lunch tents.

When: September/October (Preparation: May-September)

Who: All parents are welcome to join this team: Chairperson appointed by the Parents Association President, former Founders Day Chairperson and the Director of dvancement in consultation with the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees; Committee Chairs appointed by the Founders Day Chair and Co-Chair.

Inter-School Exchange

What: The InterSchool Exchange is made up of 4-5 parent representatives from each of the following North Shore independent schools: Buckley Country Day School, East Woods School, Friends Academy, Greenvale School, and Portledge School. The I.S.E.'s goals are to promote good will among the schools, to develop efficient communication between them, to acquaint administrators, faculty and tudents with each other through get-togethers (such as dances, dinners, lectures, luncheons, workshops, etc.) and to organize special events using community and outside resources to further enhance the education of our children.

When: Ongoing

Parent Fund Team

What: Parent gifts accounted for more than 50% of the 2006-2007 Annual Fund total. And high parent participation rates are critical to attracting large gifts from outside foundations. The Parent Fund Team serves to educate everyone about the importance of annual giving to Portledge School. Parent Fund Team volunteers are supported by the Advancement Office staff so that no solicitation is a cold call and the process helps to grow the culture of philanthropy at the school where everyone gets involved.

When: October - May

Who: All parents are welcome to join this team; Chairperson is appointed by the Parents Association, Former Chairperson and Director of Advancement.

Parent Program

What: The Parent Program Committee (PPC) identifies and organizes programs and events of interest to the parent community. These events may be solely for the Portledge parent community or may be structured for the larger community. The rograms and events shall not be intended as or used as fund-raisers. All programs and events shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Council and the Head of School.

When: Ongoing

Parent to Parent (P2P)

What: The primary function of the P2P is to support the goals of the Admissions Office including the serving as school ambassadors, supporting annual Open Houses and serving as “buddies” for new incoming families. The committee chairs work closely with the Director of Admissions to provide a “buddy program” where each new family is contacted by a veteran parent “buddy” prior to the opening of school and during the school year. The PA Liaison works with the Admissions Office and the P2P chair to ensure good communication.

When: Ongoing

Who: All parents are welcome to join this team; Chairperson appointed by the Director of Admissions in consultation with the PA Liaison and the PA President.