Backing Out of Volunteer Commitment?

Yes. Those 3-4 kids are worth it.

If you do not want to repeat the program/club next year, then that would be fine. But I would not drop it NOW, when you still have that small handful of students who are prepared and anticipating it. Why would you do that to them? If the other kids are unprepared or don't come, so what? They have squandered an opportunity. That's on them. Don't force that on the other kids who want to participate and who ARE participating.
--
By the way... how old are the kids? Elementary? Middle school? High school?

Perhaps every week is too often. Maybe scale it down to every other week? And when you finish the book, make a decision about doing another at that point. The ones who are coming regularly may want to take a break when they finish the book, before jumping into another one. I would suggest that when you are one or two meetings from finishing the book, that you take a poll regarding interest in forging ahead or taking a breather.

If I had 3 or 4 kids that really loved it I think I would stick it out, and maybe ask them for ideas on how to get more kids interested.

You have to set the example for the few that are diligent and keep your word as they have . To the ones that aren't you can come up with a 3 strikes you are out rule . If they don't show or aren't prepared they will be out . Reward the ones that are loyal .

I would solicit feedback on how to make it better, more fun for them. What work are you doing and can you do less

Why don't you talk to the parents and see if you can figure out why the kids aren't more interested and invested in the club. If you can find out the cause, maybe you can make some changes to the club so that it holds their interest more.

Also, holding the club every week seems too frequent to me. Most adult book clubs meet once a month. Maybe if you meet only every other week, or even once a month, they will be more excited to do it each time.

Assuming you've only been doing it for a month or two, I wouldn't give up yet. I would make some changes though because I agree that it's not worth it for so little return.

I would do it for the kids that care and try to make the kids interested that come sometimes.

The first thing I would do is send an honest email to the parents.

Remind them that you are a *volunteer*, and while you are happy to do it, you certainly don't want to have to drag participation out of these kids.

Try to get a sense of what's going on.

Some of these parents may have told their kids that they "have to" be in the book club, for enrichment...so maybe some of those kids don't actually want to be there.

Also, I think meeting every week might be too much.

One last thought - keep in mind that many adult book clubs include a social aspect too. Maybe interest would go up if you incorporate some creative book-related activities? I see you're in DC - maybe you can read a book about a local historical figure and then organize a trip to visit that person's home, read a book about chocolate and then organize a trip to a dessert place, etc.

ETA: If you enjoy meeting with the 3-4 diligent kids, remember that you can always "disband" the main book club and start a private book club with those kids. It's YOUR club...it can be invitation-only!!

If it's a real book club, the only assignments involved should be reading the book that will be discussed in the meeting.

I would make the book club more exclusive for those kids who truly love reading. Keep the kids who are diligent and don't need reminding.

I wouldn't bail on the 3-4 kids who really put the effort into it.
Every other week might be better for you.
Also, a reminder the day before isn't enough time for people to get to it if they've left things to the last minute.
Send an additional earlier reminder so the parents have a few days to work it into their schedule.
Do you give small treats to kids who have done their work?
Maybe if the others see that they can get a little something they might want in on that.
Motivation might seem a little silly but sometimes the results are surprising.

I really hope you would stick it out for the 3-4 kids that do the required reading. How old are these kids? At our school, we have volunteers that do Junior Great Books. The kids have to read a story (the stories get longer as they get older) and then discuss it. Are you reading a whole book? Even short ones can seem daunting to kids.

Thank you so much for putting your time and effort into this even if only a few kids benefit. I do understand if you want to stop, but maybe discuss with the principal about changing the program a little before you stop to see if more kids respond?

Sometimes we have tunnel vision. These kids are getting second six weeks stuff and it requires attention. Add little real down time and you have a problem. You are focused on the club, they are not.

I would scale back till it felt right.

I teach Sunday School and have for something like a dozen yrs. believe me if I weren't committed to Christ and the benefits to the kids, I'd have quit a long time ago! Either the good work of a book club is enough to take you through the tough parts, like apathy, or you are not as committed to the good idea as you thought.

It's been said that difficult times are set before you to teach you HOW BAD DO YOU WANT It? Do you believe in it enough to make changes and listen to what the kids say and make it fresh?

Sometimes, it's about giving too much and not letting them have ownership of their level of commitment. If your daughter were asking this after she grew up, what would your answer be?

Try thinking of your end goal first. What would it be like to take the kids all the way to that goal? Would it build their reading skills and confidence? Would it give them a sense of accomplishment? Is that something you worth working for?

You don't say the age of the kids.
I would say if your goal is to get more attendees and more preparedness, consider scaling back to EOW.
Especially if these kids are in the range of K-Gr 7.
Kids are SO busy. Maybe the reading assignments are at the bottom of the list?
If you are "done," try to find someone else to take it over. You've got a few interested kids and maybe the club makes a difference to them. :)

While I don't condone just 'quitting' I do believe you have the option to 'change your mind'. If your goal is to bond with your child and read books together but you feel the lack of participation from the other group members is making it 'less than'...let it go! Too often I think we feel compelled to stick with things out of obligation, but we end up making ourselves frustrated instead of fulfilled. Volunteering is supposed to be an option and hopefully something we enjoy. Think about it, you probably have a million things you have to do each day that you don't enjoy....your volunteering shouldn't be on that list! If you aren't ready to let it go, then stop doing so much work so you can enjoy it, and give it one last shot.. Send one more email out with the list of dates for the year. Work on the book with your child and don't worry about what the others do or don't do. State that if attendance is poor on the next meeting, then the group will be disbanded due to low participation. Anyone can understand that and you are giving them a heads up! Who knows, maybe a new option will come of it!

It could be that it is just too much for some of the kids.

Send a note stating what you have been experiencing and you are concerned it is too much for some students, so you are going to continue with the students, that are prepared.

There were times our daughter was in groups like this and some of the kids, were just not into it or did not want to put the effort into it..

Mostly I think their parents signed them up, but the kids really were not into it.. So it is good to send a not and let these kids off the hook.

I never forced my child to join anything she really was not committed to, but some parents, really push their kids for different reasons, even though the child really has no interest.

I would cut the meetings to every other week or every third week. It just may be too much for them to get the reading done with homework and other extra curricular activities.

Limit the group to just the 4. Don't accept new members. Don't bail on the 4 until after the Winger Break. If the parents are grateful to you, they will show it with a small token of appreciation. If not, bail.

Change the nature of the club. Make this more of an "elite" club, that is something special for the kids who are diligent.

No, I wouldn't give up at this point. Give it at least another month.

Once a week may be too much. How about once a month or every other week? That might help. Also, what are the ages of the kids?

I would send an e-mail to those who participate asking what can be done to make it more interesting and fun. Ask parents to get involved (yeah I know!). If things don't improve by Christmas break, I would disband.