For over 120 years, the generosity of our loyal volunteers and the generosity of our ancestors allows St. Mary of Gostyn to be a welcoming community rich in faith, education, service and community.  Each time you volunteer, you make a difference in our parish, our families, our community and the world. The time and talent you share directly and greatly decreases the financial burden of our expenses. Without you, St. Mary of Gostyn would not survive, and we are extremely grateful you share your time and talents to support SMG.  Your time is a precious gift to us, and we THANK YOU!

2012-2013 Volunteer Opportunities

Description of Volunteer Opportunities at SMG

Art Appreciation  Back to Top
The Art Appreciation committee coordinates volunteers who will present prepared art lessons about famous artists and their works for the different grade levels (K-4). One person at each grade level is in charge of making sure the volunteers are reminded of their lesson dates and times, have a copy of the lesson and any other materials they'll need, and act as the point of contact should the teacher have any questions or need to make changes. Volunteers sign up at Curriculum Night.

Chairperson(s) finds four people (one at each grade level) willing to perform the duties listed above, prepare) finds four people (one at each grade level) willing to perform the duties listed above, prepare sign-up sheets for Curriculum Night, and correspond with the principal. Also, the chairperson makes sure everyone shows up for their lessons and has what they need.

Assemblies Back to Top
The chairperson, with the help of volunteers, arranges for speakers/groups/organizations to present assemblies (usually two or three), on a variety of topics, to the students during the year. Not all assemblies may be suitable for the entire student body. 

 Chairperson(s) identifies appropriate assemblies, confirms schedule with the principal, and contracts with identifies appropriate assemblies, confirms schedule with the principal, and contracts with groups to perform.

Catholic Schools Week  Back to Top
A national committee determines the theme of Catholic Schools Week each year; the event occurs in late January. The H.S.A. committee plans events for the students to partake in throughout the week that relate to the established theme. A major event is the school-wide Open House, which takes place on a Sunday. This event showcases the student's activities in our school to current parents, and tours are planned and arranged for prospective school families. Members of the School Advisory Board also participate in this event.

 Chairperson(s) schedules volunteers for the Open House, works with the principal on related events during the schedules volunteers for the Open House, works with the principal on related events during the week, and coordinates purchasing/making all materials needed for the school events through the week.  They also contact/work with the School Advisory Board to coordinate for lawn signs, public relations and the Open House.  Committee coordinators help the CSW Chairpersons with some of the larger responsibilities for CSW and the Open House. Listed below are the subcommittees and their responsibilities.

Reception Coordinator assists the Parish Hospitality Group with the Open House reception by soliciting assists the Parish Hospitality Group with the Open House reception by soliciting and organizing volunteers to set-up, work and clean-up the reception in the gym.

Fun Fair Coordinator plans kids activities and games for the Fun Fair, held in the gym during the Open House.  The coordinator gathers game supplies and prizes, and solicits and manages volunteers.

Decorating Coordinator coordinates with the CSW Chairperson(s) and Parish Hospitality Group to help with the decorating.

Kindergarten/Pre-School Coordinator organizes and sets up displays in the Kindergarten/Pre-School area for the Open House. The coordinator may also help develop activities and projects for the kindergarten and pre-school children that will enhance and promote the Catholic Schools Week Theme.

 Yard Signs Coordinator coordinates with the CSW Chairpersons as well as the School Advisory Board to help manage the distribution, installation and collection of yard signs publicizing the CSW Open House.

 Catholic Schools Week Staff Luncheon  H.S.A. coordinates an elaborate luncheon held in the Gathering Place during Catholic Schools Week, for all school teachers and staff.

 Chairperson(s) arranges for and schedules volunteers to provide food, beverages, and related items for the luncheon, as well as in-classroom supervision while teachers are at lunch.

Communion Reception  Back to Top
The First Communion reception is held in the Gathering Place immediately following the two Communion Masses, usually held in early May. All first Communicants (both SMG school students and Religious Ed students) and their families are invited.

Chairperson(s) coordinates with the Religious Education director to solicit volunteers for set-up, serving and clean up. Chairperson also plans refreshments, purchases supplies, food and drinks, requests room set-up from rectory, decorates and oversees function.

Confirmation Reception  Back to Top
The Confirmation reception is held in the Gathering Place immediately following each Confirmation Mass (one or two Confirmations each year, depending on bishop's availability). All newly confirmed (both SMG school students and Religious Ed students) and their families are invited. 

Chairperson(s) coordinates with the Religious Education Director to solicit volunteers for set-up, serving and clean up. The chairperson also plans refreshments, purchases supplies, food and drinks, requests room set-up from rectory, decorates and oversees function.

Father/Daughter Dance Back to Top
The annual event is held on a Saturday evening during February in the gym. Fathers of 1st through 8th grade girls are invited to attend with their daughters. The event begins at 5:15 p.m. mass and follows with food, refreshments, dancing and entertainment, commemorative photos and party favor. The event requires advance ticket purchase and is self-supporting (i.e. receives no funding from H.S.A.).

Chairperson(s) coordinates date with principal and rectory, reserves space, contracts for food and entertainment, coordinates decorating, photography, publicity and advance ticket sales.

Garden Parents  Back to Top
Parents with an interest in nature and can give about 3 hours of volunteer time are encouraged to join.  You will receive training and materials from the committee leaders and then plan a class-time activity with the teachers at your chosen grade level at the school.  Teachers are excited to incorporate nature and plant related experiences into their curriculum.  Garden Parents can sign up to help grades 4-year-old pre-school through 7th grade and many of the activities take place in the SMG Children's Garden.  Contact Chairperson Hilary Denk at j.denk@comcast.net or 630-724-9528 for more information. 

Gather Prayers  Back to Top
Gather intentions are requested each week from the grade that is hosting the Friday school mass, from both students and their families. At the Friday school mass, these prayers are brought to the altar during the offertory. After mass, parents gather in the "Crying” room to pray the Gather prayers aloud.

Chairperson(s) coordinates distribution of Gather intention requests with the office, carries the Gather basket from the altar after mass to the "Crying” room, and leads the prayer session.

8th Grade Graduation Reception Back to Top
The Graduation reception is held in the Gathering Place immediately following the 8th grade Graduation Ceremony and Mass. All graduates and their families are invited.

Chairperson(s) solicit volunteers for set-up, serving and clean up. Chairperson also plans refreshments, purchases supplies, food and drinks, requests room set-up from Rectory, decorates and oversees function.

Halloween Party Back to Top
The Halloween Party is for St. Mary's School children from pre-school through 3rd grade and is a self-supported event. Students pay a nominal fee in advance for attending, as the event often sells out. For this fee, they receive a pumpkin to decorate, refreshments and games. The Halloween Party is held in the Gathering Place each year. Committee members help supervise games, crafts and refreshment tables.

Chairperson(s) is responsible for publicizing the event, purchasing prizes and refreshments, organizing volunteers, selling tickets, set up, decorations and clean up.

Helping Hands  Back to Top
Central to St. Mary's faith community and school life, Helping Hands strives to bring help to school families during times of need. The birth of a child, a death in the family, an illness or catastrophic event can cause the need for Helping Hands. Helping Hands arrives in the form of cards, meals, babysitting, running errands, etc.

 Chairperson(s) recruits one Helping Hands representative for each classroom. These representatives call other volunteers from their class to cook, baby-sit, run errands, etc. as needs arise within that class. H.S.A. dues finance the cost of greeting cards.

Hot Lunch  Back to Top
The Hot Lunch committee works with vendors to supply a hot lunch to the students approximately once a month.  Committee members help fill classroom orders for distribution the day of the lunch.

 Chairperson(s) coordinates with the vendors, distributes and collects student and teacher orders, handles the ordering and distribution of food, and coordinates dates with the principal.

Junior High Socials Back to Top
Junior High socials are events planned for SMG 7th and 8th graders that include entertainment and refreshments.  Four socials are held each year in the evening. A small fee is charged to cover the social events, which are meant to be self-supporting (i.e. minimal funding from H.S.A.)

Chairperson(s) contracts the DJ/activity, purchases supplies, solicits volunteers for set-up, chaperoning and clean up. Dates are arranged in advance with the principal.

Kane County Cougars Outing Back to Top
Enjoy an afternoon or evening of entertainment with other St. Mary's families at a Kane County Cougars game in May/June. Attendees provide their own transportation, but purchase tickets through the chairperson to ensure block seating.

Chairperson(s) publicizes event, purchases the block seating, collects money and troubleshoots on the day of the event.

Kindergarten August Picnic Back to Top
The picnic is an informal gathering held at Hummer Park in August prior to the start of the new kindergarten year. This gathering includes simple snacks and affords the incoming kindergarteners an opportunity to play together on an informal basis before school starts. A flyer is sent to kindergarten families in early August.

Chairperson(s) purchases and serves refreshments, and coordinates flyers being sent with Sr. Michael's "welcome” letter.

Kindergarten Information Night  Back to Top
This committee works to increase awareness of the St. Mary of Gostyn kindergarten program. It creates and distributes public relations materials prior to an information session for prospective families. This event typically occurs in January/February.

Chairperson(s) creates and distributes public relations materials and coordinates the agenda for the meeting.

Lunch Supervisors  Back to Top
Parents and relatives are asked to serve as monitors both in the classroom and on the playground during the lunch periods. The monitors volunteer their time. Contact Mary Toth in the school office if you are interested in helping.

Kindergarten Welcome  Back to Top
Held in May, parents of incoming kindergarteners (the following September) are asked to attend a welcome with their child. Children meet their teachers and classmates in the classroom. Parents gather in a separate area to receive an orientation on what to expect in the upcoming year. The orientation is led by parent(s) of current kindergartners and includes a welcome from the principal, and an opportunity to order uniforms from the uniform company. Refreshments are served.

Chairperson(s) presents information from an orientation booklet, oversees the question and answer session, and organizes volunteers to provide refreshments, set-up and clean up. The date is scheduled in advance with the school, which coordinates the uniform company appearance.

Mother/Son Event  Back to Top
An annual event for boys in grades 1 – 8 and their mothers. The event includes food and beverages, entertainment, and commemorative photos. The event requires advance ticket purchase and is self-supporting (i.e. receives no funding from H.S.A.)

Chairperson(s) coordinates date with the principal, contracts event space, food and entertainment, and coordinates decorating, photography, publicity and advance ticket sales.

Parent Affirmation  Back to Top
H.S.A. sponsors one or two presentations during the school year that provide positive parenting tools, knowledge and/or affirmation for parents. Presentations are coordinated with the Religious Ed. Staff at the Rectory, which then also contributes to funding of the event. Frequently, refreshments are served.

Chairperson(s) investigates and schedules one or two presentations, coordinating with the principal, and Religious Ed staff. Chairperson also coordinates publicity for the event, reserves room space and room set-up with the rectory, and arranges for refreshments to be served.

Parent Pals  Back to Top
Each new family at St. Mary's receives a "Parent Pal”, an existing St. Mary's parent, to welcome and guide them, answer questions, and ease the transition into the school.

Chairperson(s) recruits volunteers who agree to provide service to a new family and makes a presentation at the annual welcome meeting for new parents (in October).

Reconciliation Reception Back to top
The First Reconciliation Reception is held in the Gathering Place immediately following Reconciliation. All First Reconciliation recipients (both SMG school students and Religious Ed students) and their families are invited.

Chairperson(s) coordinates with the Religious Education director to solicit volunteers for set-up, serving and clean up. Chairperson also plans refreshments, purchases supplies food and drinks, requests room set-up from rectory,  decorates and oversees function.

Room Parents Back to Top
Room Parents primarily assist the teacher by coordinating helpers for field trips, Hot Lunches, and class events, running holiday parties, assisting at Park Day, and calling parents in case of an emergency.

School Development  Back to Top
The purpose and goals of SMG's Development Office is to ensure that efforts relating to school and parish development are comprehensive, coordinated and consistent and profitable.  To effectively use and expand upon resources and volunteer time, cooperative working relationships with HSA, SAB and the Development office is key to the future success of the school.  Great progress and product is produced with collaboration!  Meetings will take place as needed, but for the most part, work can be done from home with reciprocal communications.  Many hands make light work, and all can do a bit or a lot, entirely up to you.  The Development Director will lead each of these areas and needs chairpersons and helpers to effectively build out the initiatives.  If you wish to be a part of these new, exciting  efforts that will positively change the course of the school's future, please consider volunteering for the Development Office.

Alumni Campaign helps seek SMG alumni to invite them to events and keep them updated with school and parish happenings.  Need Chair and Helpers.

Marketing and Advertising will be a coordinated effort to build upon current initiatives and reduce duplicative or conflicting efforts to ensure that a comprehensive marketing plan is in place to expand resources in the most effective way.  Fall goals include branding, logo development, and market saturation in print and on-line.  Need Helpers.

Public Relations is imperative to work hand in hand with marketing and advertising.  All three areas focus on the parish and school.  Developing strategies to establish consistency and market saturation is an important part of this initiative.  Need Helpers.

Web Development is a completely new category with the new website and help is needed to keep content current, enhance writing and embellish where possible in Phase 2.  Ongoing support is needed to keep the content current.  If you can do a word document, you can develop and update these web pages.  Some consulting is necessary, but work can be done from home after a training session.  Development Director - Lead.  Chairperson - Lorri Stapleton.  Need Helpers.

Creative Writing along with journalistic and website styles is a large component of all these initiatives.  Need Helpers.

Recruiting & Enrollment - Parent Pals will continue to reach out to new families with an additional part in these important relationship building efforts with our prospective families.  The efforts here are to expand the successful processes that the Catholic Schools Week team has implemented so that the same process with prospective families is followed all year through.  Also, would like to identify ways to electronically track progress with prospective families.  Need Chair and Helpers.

School Annual Endowment Appeal - To build upon past processes and strategies to request donations for the future of the school. Need Helpers.

Fundraising Events will continue to operate as usual with their own chairs and teams as. Notification to the Development Office is required for any and all types of fundraisers so the office can help in the areas of marketing, PR, advertising, vendor contacts, website and internet exposure,coordination and more. In addition, to be sure the event/fundraiser is a good fit, is in line with the strategic plan, is not duplicative effort, and works with the campus-wide calendar. Need Helpers for Development Office admin support.

Planned Giving is also an important initiative for this year.  We will build upon current programs and initiatives and establish and adopt best practices to develop a program, process, and plan that is the right fit for SMG.  Need Helpers. 

Sponsorships is an integral component of our fundraising success.  Initiative is to expand resources to corporate and establish a sponsor program which will consolidate efforts to reduce duplicity.  Need Helpers.

Administrative Work is necessary always.  In addition to assistance with any and/or all the areas above, administrative work includes making phone calls, tracking information, analyzing data, preparing marketing materials, and helping set up for meetings and programs. Need Helpers.

Special Persons Day  Back to Top
Held in the spring each year, students at St. Mary's 5th graders invite their parents, grandparents, or another special person, to visit them at the school. The day includes mass, a visit to the classroom, and a reception in the gym.

Chairperson(s) organizes the reception in the gym, including scheduling volunteers, ordering refreshments, setup and clean up.

SpiritWear Back to Top
includes a collection of high-quality clothing, outerwear, blankets and other items all monogrammed with school name/SMG intended to promote school spirit and awareness in the community. A major sale is held once a year, prior to Christmas. A pre-sale is held in late August to offer limited items required at the start of the year, such as a gym bag.

Chairperson(s) organizes the items offered, coordinates with the supplier(s), promotes the sale, collects orders and payment, and sorts and distributes orders.

Staff Appreciation Luncheons  Back to Top
Each month, the SMG school families contribute food and beverages providing a substantial lunch for all of the school teachers in the teacher's lounge. Classes take turns providing the food/beverages for these luncheons.

Chairperson(s) organizes the menu and schedule of lunches, coordinating with the principal. Notices are sent to each school family requesting help in providing food and related lunch items. Chairperson coordinates volunteers, set-up and clean up.

Staff Meeting Refreshments  Back to Top
Each month the committee provides snacks for the teacher's monthly staff meetings.

Chairperson(s) coordinates dates with the principal and provides the snacks for the meetings.

Uniform Exchange  Back to Top
The Uniform Exchange provides an opportunity to save money on school uniforms or donate an outgrown uniform for another student's use. Opportunities for exchanging are held at the start of each school year during orientation evenings; uniforms are collected the preceding spring. Families need not donate in order to receive.

Chairperson(s) solicits gently used uniforms, coordinates receipt of these uniforms and organizes them by item and size for display during the exchange. Promotion of the exchange is coordinated with the principal.

Viking Voice  Back to Top
The Viking Voice is an online publication distributed in the school's portfolio three to four times a year. It contains valuable information from the principal, school organizations, and teachers/classrooms. The publication also promotes the achievements of various students and student groups during the year.

 Chairperson(s) collects articles, arranges them into newsletter format and distributes the newsletter.

Welcome Back Coffee  Back to Top
This coffee get-together is held at the beginning of the school year to welcome back parents and their young ones still at home to the new school year. This coffee also provides an opportunity to promote school activities.

Chairperson(s) solicits volunteers for set-up, serving and clean up. The chairperson also plans refreshments, purchases supplies, food and drinks, requests room set-up from rectory, decorates and oversees the function.

Yearbook   Back to Top
The yearbook is a yearlong project that culminates into a keepsake for students at the end of the school year.  This yearbook is a compilation of pictures of students, teachers, and staff collected throughout the school year.  Order forms are typically sent home in the fall and the yearbook is distributed in the spring. Committee members help by taking pictures and designing yearbook pages for assigned classes and/or groups.

Creative Editor/Yearbook Co-Chair coordinates yearbook volunteers to take photographs, create and edit yearbook pages and communicate with Lifetouch representatives and the Business Editor/Co-Chair. Ideally, this person has an interest in and working knowledge of photography and computers. 

Business Editor/Yearbook Co-Chair handles the administrative side of yearbook publishing. The business editor coordinates the planning, marketing and accounting process and communicates with the Lifetouch representative and Creative Editor. Ideally, this person has an interest in and working knowledge of accounting and computers.

2012-2013 Fundraisers

Box Tops - All Year Long  Back to Top
A complete list of participating products can be found at http://www.boxtops4education.com/. Clip the product code from these items and bring them either to the school office or deposit them in the Box Top basket in the narthex. Items for the school are purchased with the money earned through this program. 

Manna - All Year Long  Back to Top
This program designed to offer parents a means to offset the cost of school tuition or to donate their profit to the school, other families, or teachers for school-related expenses. To participate in the program, you purchase certificates through school and use them at local grocery and department stores, gas stations, restaurants, and specialty stores. Contact Elaine Oplanek to enroll or to work in the program. 

Restaurants/ Retailers Give Back - All Year Long  Back to Top
Several times during the year, various restaurants and retailers hold fundraisers for SMG - if you come in and dine with them or shop with them, they will give a certain percentage of your purchase to SMG.

Sponsorships/Advertising Opportunities - All Year Long  Back to Top
Throughout the year, our events and activities provide wonderful avenues for individuals and businesses to sponsor or advertise their business during our event.  Contact the Rectory for more information

Target REDcard - All Year Long  Back to Top
JOIN TARGET in their TAKE CHARGE OF EDUCATION CAMPAIGN!  Just one phone call is all it takes! If you have a (or plan to get one) Target REDcard, then will you consider helping SMG School raise funds? It's as easy as one phone call!  EVERY TIME you shop at Target and use your REDcard: 
1)  YOU receive 5% OFF your total receipt—a personal savings for YOU!
2)  SMG School can earn 1% of your total receipt— to support its programs!
3)  If you use your Target REDcard Visa for purchases other than at Target, SMG will
receive 1% of those purchases, too!  
All you need to do is call Target, (888) 755-5856, press 0 for Customer Service, and request St. Mary of Gostyn School to be your school of choice on your REDcard! They will confirm the
address, 440 Prairie Ave., Downers Grove, IL. 60515.   Fundraiser gives back to you & SMG!

Golf Outing  Back to Top
Each year the school sponsors a golf outing. This year, in conjunction with the SMG Men's Club, the event is hosted on tba at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club. Contact Rob Albian or Mike Budzynski for information.

5K Run/Walk  Back to Top
August 27 is the date of the annual 5K Run/Walk. The 5K Run/Walk and the 1 Mile Youth Race take place on USATF certified routes starting and ending at St. Mary's. Contact Mike Farrell for information or to volunteer. 

Italian Fest - Tuition Assistance Fund  Back to Top
As a way to help our school families who need help paying tuition, we have a Tuition Assistance Fund. At any time of the year, parents, family members, or organizations can make a donation to this fund. Student Council fundraising efforts support this Fund. Help is always needed and much appreciated by the families we can assist through this fund. 

Fall Event - November  Back to Top
Information forthcoming  Help is needed.  Please contact Kristen Cieplak for more information.

Trivia Night - February  Back to Top
Trivia Night is held on Feb 11 in the school gym. Join us for the fun. Proceeds benefit the school. Contact Amy Boone or Mary Beth Albian for information or to volunteer. 

#Candlelight Bowling - April   Back to Top 
Each spring an evening of fun is provided for bowlers and non-bowlers alike at the Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. Sign-up information will be made available before the event. Contact the school office for more information or to volunteer.