Title
a. Receive a report on Parks Volunteer Program
b. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Parks Committee and Parks Commission:
a. Receive a report on Parks Volunteer Program
b. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
The Parks Committee has expressed an interest in understanding the Parks Volunteer Program. This report presents how the Program was intended to work and some current practices. Upon accepting Parks, RMA began reviewing policies and practices. There is an existing policy ("Live-on Volunteer Handbook", dated December 2008, Attachment A). The Handbook appears to be internal only and not formally adopted by the Board of Supervisors (no resolution).
Volunteers provide much-needed supplement to County staff, but we need standard guideline that are followed and enforced. Improving the program, and management of the program, can provide positive results for the parks. Staff offers the following recommendations for consideration:
A. Update all policies, procedures and forms, including:
1. Requiring Live Scans for Live-On volunteers because of proximity to children in the parks.
2. Requiring Live-On volunteers to move their rigs every 3 months to ensure proper operating condition and prevent homesteading.
3. Add additional special skills needed to the application to attract additional volunteers.
B. Strictly adhere to all policies so that volunteers are treated equitably. Ensure that all paperwork is received, all training is provided, etc.
C. Assign/Hire, a staff person to manage the volunteer program. This will provide a more stable, organized volunteer program and result in an increase in volunteers wanting to work with Monterey County. The staff person can do the following to improve the program:
1. Coordinate with all parks and be the one point of contact for the program (for both staff and volunteers.) This will relieve field staff of the duty and they can focus on their park duties.
2. Efficie...
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