6. Staff Report-discussion on establishing a volunteer policy
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: June 1, 2016
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Volunteer policy
Background: At the last Parks & Recreation Committee meeting there was a discussion of projects
that could be undertaken by volunteers and the process for recruiting volunteers. Currently
there is no set process to identify projects and to inform the public about volunteer
opportunities in the City. The PRC discussed filtering the projects and requests; however, the
PRC only meets on a monthly basis and can only make recommendation to the City Council.
The establishment of a policy and process for recruiting volunteers once established would
better enable the matching of projects with those willing to perform the work on a volunteer
basis on an ongoing basis. Further, the establishment of a policy would ensure that the City has
sufficient information regarding volunteers for the insurance coverage that i s provided through
the League’s liability and workers compensation programs.
Issue: Should the City establish a volunteer policy?
Proposal Details: A policy would be developed to include: Volunteer Recruitment, Volunteer
Eligibility, Acceptance, Placement, & Orientation, Requests for Volunteers, Supervision and Performance
of Volunteers (including the types of work that can be performed by age group and qualifications and
would include eagle scout projects), Volunteer Development, Recognition, and Retention, and Volunteer
Evaluation.
Fiscal Impact: Information on projects and solicitation of volunteers would be provided on the
City website. There would be staff time in order to create and maintain the web page along
with staff time for contact with potential volunteers.
Options:
1. Prepare a draft policy for review by Council and / or Parks & recreation Committee
2. Take no action