Dede Schaffner started the Seminole County Dividends School Volunteer Program in 1973 as a volunteer herself. She started the program with just 17 volunteers in 3 schools and grew the Dividends Program to one of national prominence. When Schaffner directed the school district volunteer program, over 18,000 Dividends were serving every school in the county, and the program was winning local, state and national acclaim.Schaffner served as President of the Florida Association of Partners in Education where she helped other districts develop school volunteer programs and initiated programs to support the networking and growth in Florida, including Golden School Award, Silver School Award, and Five Star School Award. Schaffner also served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Partners in Education and was a national consultant to school districts in 15 different states to advocate for community involvement in public education. She successfully ran for Seminole County School Board in 2000 and was re-elected to another term in August 2004, where she serves.