By Alexandra Dahlstrom
Correspondent
The Williams Bay School Community Association announced to the Williams Bay School District Board of Education its in need of volunteers Monday night.
While the association is a successful program, Carolyn Marshall, the association’s secretary, said Monday night association board members are struggling with balancing full time jobs, school and family commitments and the time needed to support the association.
“We are not getting as many volunteers as we have in the past and it’s really putting us in a bind,” she said. “We are really struggling as an organization and where we are going to go.
“The board is putting in 400 hours total a year and that’s a lot.”
Marshall said Monday she is afraid the current board is “at risk” of disbanding unless additional volunteer support is received.
Marshall said via email the association currently has four members that run all of the events and fundraising activities, something that has become too much for such a small group to manage.
“We need more volunteers,” she said. “If we are unable to solicit the volunteers needed to adequately support our fundraising efforts and program support, the current board is “at risk” of disbanding. This means that events, such as Fun Fair, will no longer continue.”
The association
Marshall said the Williams Bay School Community Association has a long-standing tradition in the community of raising funds through special events that fund programs for our Williams Bay School District and local community.
She said the association raises funds for multiple projects and scholarships each year including: four to five scholarships worth $500 each, National History Club competition sponsorship, Battle of the Books awards, Babysitting at teacher conferences, Fellow Mortals wildlife education program, Teacher Appreciation Holiday Breakfast and monthly birthday lunch program and more.
“One important event, Fun Fair, is an example of a long standing tradition that brings the community together, while raising funds that are invested back into the high school, elementary school and community events,” Marshall said via email.
Marshall said the association’s Fun Fair held on March 13 saw more than 1,000 attendees and raised $12,779 in the three and half hours it ran, raising a net profit for the event of $9,082. Marshall said the Fun Fair was a huge success. According to Marshall, the association has $34,303 in the bank from cumulative funds raised.
Marshall said the group currently meets once a month at a local restaurant or coffee shop and association volunteers typically commit anywhere from a few hours a month to a few hours a week. For those interested in more of a leadership role, she said board members typically dedicate 4-10 hours a month.
Parents and community members interested in volunteering for the Williams Bay School Community Association should visit its Facebook page, for more information. There will be an election of officers at 6 p.m. on May 29 at Jo Jo’s Pizza, 308 Highway 50.
