HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7887 INFORMAL RE.PORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7887
.TE
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
kP January 24, 1995
Subject:
7873 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Backizround
During the four (4) calendar years 1991-94, the Parks and Community Services Department
(PACSD) has averaged 4,354 volunteers per year generating 41,385 volunteer hours in support
of its services. Primarily, volunteer services have benefitted the Botanic Garden, the Community
Centers and the Nature Center and Refuge. The remainder have supported Adopt-a-Park efforts,
special events, golf programs, etc.
During fiscal years 1991-92 and 1992-93 a total of $190,091 and nine (9) authorized positions
were eliminated from the Community Center's operating budgets. These reductions have forced,
the reduction of operating hours and resultant provision of recreational services. During the
Fiscal Year 93-94 budget process, the PACSD submitted a request for additional authorized
positions which would have added one (1) full time position per center. Given the level of
resources available, the decision was made to allocate a Volunteer Coordinator position which
would focus on volunteer recruitment, training and retention to augment the day-to-day
operations at each of the City's Community Centers.
Implementation
In May of 1994, a Volunteer Coordinator was hired with the primary responsibility of developing
and implementing volunteer programs for the nineteen (19) Community Centers as well as the
other programs that are a part of the PACSD. In addition, the Coordinator also recruits,
conducts training and monitors volunteers utilized throughout the department. Prior to filling the
position, staffing levels did not allow optimum use of volunteers at the Community Centers or
in Adopt-a-Park efforts. A ninety (90) day work plan was developed for the Coordinator, which
when completed, would lay the foundation for a systematic program that should result in a
significant increase in volunteer services and hours.
In order to create a comprehensive Volunteer Program, a thorough assessment of the volunteer
status (availability and usage) of each Community Center as well as other programs in the
department, was conducted by interviewing assistant directors, district superintendents, center
supervisors as well as trades and operations supervisors. Listed below are the major
accomplishments of these efforts and the action plan for the first six (6) months of 1995.
Major Accomplishments
0 Completed visits of nineteen (19) Community Centers and the other PACSD facilities
I?V 0 Developed "Volunteer Fact Card" for distribution to each site where volunteers are utilized
0 Conducted staff surveys of volunteer program and needs
0 Drafted plan for recruitment and recognition activities
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER- - FORT WORTH TFYhq
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7887
Mqf, To the Mayor and Members of the City Council January 24, 1995
Page 2 of 2
Subject:
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES
• Completed first draft of a Volunteer Program Policies and Procedures manual
• Completed first draft of Supervisor's Handbook and Volunteer's Handbook
• Recruited volunteers for Trinity River Awareness Day and registered more than 1100
volunteers for the activity
• Recruited volunteers for the Nature Center Fall Festival
• Organized volunteer pool for the 1994 Cowboy Santas toy distribution program
• Applied for and received a scholarship from Directors of Volunteers in Agencies to attend
the Governor's Annual Volunteer Leadership Conference, September 1994
Action Plan for January 1995 through June 1995
• Complete design of volunteer recruitment brochure
• Finalize all volunteer manuals and handbooks
• Register all current active volunteers and recruit all inactive volunteers
• Develop slide presentation for recruitment activities
• Design volunteer awards and recognition program
0 Develop a special events volunteer pool
Goals and Obiectives
Calendar Year 1994 figures for the department were 4,916 volunteers generating a total of
61,314 volunteer hours. Of these figures, 1,583 volunteers provided services at Community
Centers generating 28,093 volunteer hours.
The goal for Fiscal Year 1994-95 is to increase the number of volunteers at our Community
Centers by 5% from 1,583 to 1,662 and the number of volunteer hours by 15% from 28,093 to
32,307. The work that has been completed thus far in establishing the foundation for this
program, combined with the planned actions, should enable the Parks and Community Services
Department to achieve the above program goals.
If th ity Council desires additional information on this program, please let me know.
Bob^errell
.�rrell
City Manager
BT:I
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS