9.3. SR 11-19-2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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��i Eof lk — - Request for Action River To Item Number Mayor and City Council 9.3 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Work Session November 19, 2018 Tina Allard, City Clerk Item Description Reviewed by Volunteer Appreciation Program Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Discussion regarding Council's Volunteer Appreciation Program. Background/Discussion Departments utilize volunteers in a variety of ways and although volunteers work without compensation, volunteer programs are not free. However,the benefits provided by volunteers can outweigh those costs. Benefits include having a greater service impact on the community than otherwise possible such as cleaner parks, assisting kids at the library, etc. Volunteers themselves also benefit by learning new job skills and gaining experience.Volunteering can range from a one-day event to year-round support. Volunteer program costs can include staff program management, supervision, backgrounding, equipment, and recognition/appreciation. The city's volunteering program is fairly young and not in any centralized database for easy statistical analysis and tracking of volunteer activities. Things that could be tracked and of value might include: ■ time to manage volunteers ■ description of activities performed ■ direct value provided ■ department/program receiving the ■ contact information assistance ■ estimate of volunteers utilized • demographics of volunteers ■ estimate of volunteer hours It is important to provide meaningful recognition for volunteer work. This can come in many forms and should be tailored to the needs of the volunteer. Whatever is decided, Council should ask:Why are we doing this? Should the program be formal or informal? Is this something all volunteers will like and appreciate?Who should be recognizing the volunteers?Are we really organizing this recognition for ourselves or is it truly for the volunteers and their supervisors (volunteers may not know Council and would feel more comfortable with more personal appreciation coming from their supervisor)? Formal recognition is generally done for all volunteers equally, on a regularly-scheduled basis. Some agencies recognize their volunteers based on anniversary, some based on hours. Some give a formal banquet; others distribute pins or plaques. Some take volunteers out to lunch on a day they come in to volunteer.There are many ways to recognize and appreciate volunteers. The Elk River Vision A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional p D W E H E D D Y service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INATUR