Hi! I was wondering if my homeschool group can basically say, “In our homeschool co-op, we expect that every parent will volunteer at least 12 hours per semester per child. If you are unable to do so, you may instead pay a fee of $300 per child per semester.” – GP
Dear GP,
What you propose is a “volunteer or donate” plan. I’ve seen it done with fundraisers: raise $100 or give $100 if you don’t want to sell candy door-to-door.
I’ve not seen this plan used for the general expenses of a homeschool program, though. Largely because a donation is not a donation if it is coerced. Neither is volunteering purely volunteering if it is demanded or coerced. Instead most homeschool groups charge tuition of cover their majority of expenses.
Additionally, most homeschool co-ops or groups that rely heavily on volunteers, don’t need the cash as much as they need people helping! IOW, the cash doesn’t replace the hand-on help that a co-op needs to run. So the co-op doesn’t offer a “buy out” or “volunteer or pay” option.
Some co-ops charge more tuition for drop-off students, but that’s not quite the same as “volunteer or donate.” It’s an increased tuition fee. Tuition is not a donation.
Most homeschool groups set an expectation of participation for members (Ex: be here every week unless your child is sick), but cannot demand it. Of course, co-ops have policies if a family has two or three misses, usually they are kicked out with no refund. But most groups work with a parent that is negligent in her responsibilities to the co-op (Ex: warnings, grace, removal, etc.).
Bottom line: Don’t use the “volunteer or donate.” It sets the wrong tone in the group. Instead create a spirit of cooperation and joyful volunteering and you won’t need a “pay up because you didn’t volunteer” fee.
My mentee, Becky Abrams of Nonprofit Education Solutions wrote a great blog post on
Volunteers “Buying Out” of Their Obligations to Your Program?
I agree with Becky who writes:
“Additionally, volunteerism is intended to be a positive thing that brings true community and camaraderie to your organization. Forcing members to volunteer “or else” brings a very negative attitude and can change the mentality of the organization and it’s members dramatically.”
Carol Topp, CPA
HomeschoolCPA.com
