Volunteers Needed

There are SO MANY ways to get involved at Bell. See all of the committees and opportunities below and connect with us to join in!

Join us at the Volunteer Mixer

Come meet FOB members from all three programs (DHH, Neighborhood, Options) and find your fit. Plenty of leadership and committee spots to suit different skills and schedules. Learn more about each volunteer opportunity here.

business outreach

Benefactor Committee Lead

Bell Benefactors are businesses or sole proprietors who donate to the school in exchange for recognition for their business. Depending on your style and how it fits in with your day-to-day, it could be something you squeeze in from your home office or an on-the-boots canvasing task. 

• Design and manage how the program works

• Create promotional materials and messaging for the program

• Target, promote, and sign up new benefactors

• If you are able, recruit and lead a committee of volunteers to assist in targeting new prospects and managing existing benefactor relationships

Sponsorship Committee Lead

Help our event teams connect with businesses or sole proprietors who donate resources or funding for specific asks. Depending on your style and how it fits in with your day-to-day, it could be something you squeeze in from your home office or an on-the-boots canvasing task. 

• Design and manage the program

• Target and sign up new sponsorships

• Coordinate with event and Benefactor committees on outreach to businesses

Chamber Liaisons

Are you a business owner who belongs to the Northcenter or Roscoe Village Lakeview Chamber? We’re looking for representatives who can:

• Create a relationship between Bell and the chamber

• Pass along relevant opportunities to Bell and vice versa

• Connect Friends of Bell with other members who may be a good fit for mutual gain

Community building

Parent Education Coordinator

In our fast-changing environment, parents and caregivers are under a lot of pressure to get it right, without knowing all the answers. This is an opportunity for us to help provide information on topics of interest. This is a brand new role ready to be molded - ideas could include:

• Schedule speakers on interesting topics for caregivers e.g. social media, nutrition, teaching kids about finance, etc

• Develop a parent education curriculum spanning the lifecycle of a Bell student e.g. how to deal as your child enters puberty

• Partner with parents to host Parent Parties with specialist guests

• Liaise with other parent groups like Neurodiversity and Equity on relevant topics

Bell Dash Committee Lead

Bring the magic of the new school year alive for Bell families. The Bell Dash is a fun community race during the Back-to-school Bash. 

• Secure the permit and race planner 6 months in advance

• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for the days leading up to the event and the day of the event

• Coordinate with the Back to School Bash team

• Market and promote participation

Neighborhood Association Liaisons

Do you belong to the Northcenter or Roscoe Village Lakeview Neighborhood Association? We’re looking for representatives who can:

• Create a relationship between Bell and the Association

• Pass along relevant opportunities to Bell and vice versa

• Connect Friends of Bell with other members who may be a good fit for mutual gain

Grounds & Garden Committee Leader

Share your passion for sustainable gardening by leading beautification efforts onsite.  

• Recruit a committee of fellow gardeners to keep the school gardens ready to bloom

• Work with the Earth Guardians club on ideas to keep the area around the school presentable

Bell Family Fund

Looking for a compassionate parent leader to jumpstart a community aid program to assist Bell families who need support. The goal would be to provide immediate assistance with items or financial needs in a confidential manner that allows students to focus on their education. This could include scholarships, school supplies, household items, etc.

Sister School

The Children’s First Fund matches two CPS schools to develop a personalized relationship that helps enhance education for both communities. From joint field trips and parent enrichment to providing additional financial resources to our partner school, Friends of Bell can build an enduring relationship to expand connections across our CPS community. We need a passionate parent leader to spearhead this initiative.

Fundraising

Bell Walk Committee Lead

Step into action! Help us plan and execute one of Bell’s biggest annual fundraisers—the Bell Walk!

• Coordinate event logistics, from scheduling classrooms, managing emcees and DJs, to engaging teachers

• Engage with local sponsors for donations and partnerships

• Rally volunteers to help with setup, safety, and crowd control

• Plan fun activities, giveaways, and incentives to boost participation for the 6 weeks leading up to the event

• Coordinate Bell merchandise prizes with outside vendors

• Track all donations, create events web pages, and leverage Better Unite platform

Teacher Treats Coordinator

This is a great way to get to know the teachers in the building! Recruit & assist them in hosting special activity fundraisers for students (e.g. bowling party with Mrs. X, ice cream party with Mr. Y)

• Gather ideas and help pre-arrange some plug-and-play party ideas for teachers to headline (e.g. get ice cream and party space for an hour donated by a local store)

• Market events and monitor sign ups

• Encourage teacher participation and promotion

Gala Committee Co-Lead

If you love a good theme and a checklist, you have found your people! This is a super fun night for parents and teachers to get together, but we need your vision and help planning the party.

• Recruit and manage committees for various activities including silent auction, wine pull, other new and interesting activities 

• Manage event planning from securing the venue to catering and decorations

• Find sponsorships and donations to support the event

• Produce event content and programming for the evening including key speakers (FOB president and principal) 

• This is a year long commitment with the bulk activity happening in the winter-spring months leading up to the Gala

Wish List Parent Lead

This fundraiser has the clearest impact on the student experience. Work with a teacher to lead an annual fundraiser where donors choose what is funded. 

• Coordinate the creation of campaigns in our fundraising platform 

• Create promotions, bulletin boards, flyers to make sure goals are met

• Recruit volunteers as necessary

• Report and analyze on progress and gaps

School activities

Middle School Dance Parent Co-Lead

Partner with Kathy Casillas, teacher lead, to plan twice a year middle school dances.

• Recruit volunteers to chaperone, decorate, sell concessions

• Solicit donations or manage Costco runs for concession items

Clubs Liaison

Did you know any parent can start a club? This role will liaise with parent-run clubs to provide a two-way dialogue with Friends of Bell and advise parents who wish to start new clubs on how to move forward.

volunteering

Blaze Buddies Coordinator

Get caregivers into the school and helping out on a regular basis.

• Work with administration to find repeatable activities that need support like lunchroom monitoring, traffic duty, etc

• Promote and organize volunteer sign up

Finance & CRM

Accounting & CRM Assistant

• Entering checks and e-payments into Better Unite CRM platform

• Setting up fundraising campaigns and doing data cleanup as necessary

Marketing & Communications

Graphic Designers

Got a creative streak? We need design gurus to bring our fundraising materials and events to life with eye-catching visuals! Fit it into your schedule as you’re able. 

• Design flyers, graphics, and event materials

• Help with branding for Friends of Bell and its programs

• Create engaging visual content for newsletters and the website