Gifts of volunteer time and financial resources are crucial for the health of the School. For members of the community, such involvement fosters a better understanding of Shipley and provides opportunities to forge relationships with parents, alumni, faculty, and staff members.

The personal investment of our community members in the life of the School is an integral part of Shipley’s culture and philosophy. We encourage parents and alumni to continue the long tradition of skillful and energetic volunteers working together on behalf of the School.

The External Relations Office in Brownell House sponsors and supports volunteer activities for parents, alumni, and others, providing meeting and work space, as well as professional and staff assistance.

There are many ways of getting involved—whether you have a lot or a little bit of time to give. In addition to the committees listed below, there are other ways to lend a hand:

•Volunteer for a few hours a week in one of our libraries.
•Host an alumni event in your home.
•Talk with other parents who are considering Shipley.
•Provide transportation for a school trip.
•Help decorate for a special event.
•House an exchange student for a semester.
•Chaperone a student activity.

Shipley also needs the voluntary financial support of parents, alumni, and others because tuition income covers only 85 percent of the School’s actual operating cost. To help close this gap, Shipley, like all not-for-profits, conducts an annual fundraising campaign called The Annual Fund in which all members of the community are encouraged to participate. We recognize that not everyone is able to make a substantial gift, but it is hoped that all will wish to register their votes of support for the School by contributing as generously as their means permit.

Volunteers have played, and will continue to play a valuable role in the School. Students benefit most when people like you freely share their talents and time. In return, we hope our volunteers receive many of their own rewards: new friends, an increased understanding of the School, and a sense of satisfaction at having contributed to the Shipley community.

Alumni Admissions Volunteer — This committee is comprised of alumni who are interested in working with the admissions office to provide outreach to prospective or accepted students and their families. Our alumni possess a unique insight into the School and serve as a valuable resource during the admissions process. Contact Ashley Reichenbach Kopp: areichenbach@shipleyschool.org 

Alumni Board — This executive board oversees the proceedings of the Alumni Association as a whole. Alumni from various classes represent the Association on the Alumni Board, meeting regularly throughout the year to coordinate alumni activities and programs as well as to support the School. Contact Ashley Reichenbach Kopp: areichenbach@shipleyschool.org  More information >>> 

Annual Fund — This volunteer group of parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, and Shipley Colleagues works with the Director of Annual Giving to raise revenue for the School's operating budget. The 2006-07 committee raised over $1,400,000 for Shipley’s operating expenses. Contact Margaret Anne Ritter, maritter@shipleyschool.org. More information >>> 

Archives — Volunteer alumni, faculty, students, and parents give their time to sort, inventory, and conserve materials from Shipley’s past. Contact Tim Blankenhorn: tblankenhorn@shipleyschool.org

Auction — This biennial event, held in April in Yarnall Gymnasium, includes silent and live auctions and a dinner. A committee meets monthly during the year to prepare. The last auction, in 2007, raised over $225,000 in net profit. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org

Capital Giving — Volunteers willing to share their fundraising experience are always welcome. Individuals who would like to help in  identifying or soliciting capital gifts in support of ongoing capital fundraising projects should contact Chris Farr: cfarr@shipleyschool.org .

Class Coordinators — Parent representatives from each grade meet by division to help facilitate good communication between home and school as well as to sponsor and help coordinate various class, division, and all-school activities and events. Contact the appropriate division head: Lower School - Margaret (Maggie) Granados, mgranados@shipleyschool.org; Middle School - Dorothy Maddock, dmaddock@shipleyschool.org; Upper School - Mark Schoeffel, mschoeffel@shipleyschool.org

Fine Arts — This committee arranges for a different art exhibition each month to be displayed in the Upper School Speer Gallery. The exhibitions represent well-known local professionals as well as Shipley students, faculty, and alumni. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org

Green Thumb — Green Thumb raises money for and provides support to the Shipley Sprouts (Shipley's horticultural program). Green Thumb participants also decorate the School for each season, maintain the Middle School garden, and provide floral arrangements for special events. Primary fundraisers include a booth at the Shipley Shops, a plant sale, and a boutique at the Secret Gardens Tour. In addition to working on various projects, the group takes gardening-related field trips. For more information, contact Jean Gilpin Tremblay ’75 at jeangtrem@aol.com.

Lower & Middle School Book Fairs — Book Fairs are held in the spring in both divisions to benefit the library. A large selection of books from the students’ summer reading lists, best-sellers, and books for the entire family are available. Contact the appropriate Librarian: Upper & Middle Schools - Liz Cousins, lcousins@shipleyschool.org; Lower School - Barbara Holt, bholt@shipleyschool.org

Multicultural Parents’ Association — The Multicultural Parents’ Association (MPA) is an organization open to all parents and guardians of students, as well as alumni and friends of The Shipley School. The purpose of the organization is to encourage and support diversity and inclusiveness throughout the School by providing an open and encouraging forum for sharing, discussion, and understanding in support of multiculturalism and diversity at Shipley. Contact Sandi Richards at srichards@shipleyschool.org. More information >>>

Secret Gardens — An all-day tour of gardens, in a different area each year, takes place in May. The committee plans and hosts the tour, which includes an optional luncheon. The 2007 tour raised over $24,000 in net profit for Shipley. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org

Shipley Shops — The committee works all year to prepare for this major fundraising event, which takes place in Yarnall Gymnasium in October. Shops from all over the country gather together to bring a spectacular array of merchandise for early holiday shopping. Parents, alumni, and others volunteer as sales aides at The Shops and staff Shipley’s own booths. The 2006 Shipley Shops raised over $98,000 in net profit. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org   More information >>> 

Sports Publicity — Parents who regularly attend and take photographs of athletic events are asked to provide information and photographs to the External Relations Office for distribution to the press and for use in the School’s publications and on the Web site. Contact Trina Vaux: tvaux@shipleyschool.org

Volunteer Forum — This group brings together the chairs of all volunteer committees throughout the year to promote communication and coordination. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org

Winter Teas — Afternoon tea by the fire is a Shipley tradition that takes place on Wednesday afternoons in the winter months for Upper School students, parents, and faculty. Parents coordinate this effort and provide baked goods. Contact Karen Brown: kbrown@shipleyschool.org