Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story
During National Volunteer Week, April 1319, counties will celebrate the contributions volunteers make to government operations. Volunteer efforts help counties meet rising service demands and bring citizens, with a variety of skills and experiences, closer to their local government. The result is a more informed public; healthy communities; and donated services often worth hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of dollars.
"I wanted to be involved in my community and volunteering is a great way to do that," said a volunteer for Arlington County, Va. "I'm new to the area so this has been a great learning experience. I really feel like a part of the county now, and the staff has been great to work with."
Those sentiments are echoed by volunteers throughout the nation's counties, and local officials are recognizing the importance of this partnership between citizens and their local government. In addition, President Clinton recently announced that a community service summit, chaired by former President George Bush and former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, will take place in April.
Counties will recognize the contributions of volunteers and thank them for their efforts during National Volunteer Week. According to NACo's 1996 survey of volunteerism in county government, more than 60 percent of counties plan some type of recognition activity for citizens who contribute their services to government operations.
"Saying thank you to volunteers underscores the county's commitment to volunteerism and should be part of any well-managed program," said Jean Berg, director, Arlington County Volunteer Office. "We try to involve everyone - from our elected officials to administrators to line staff - in recognizing volunteers throughout the year."
Many counties plan annual recognition events to coincide with National Volunteer Week. It is an excellent opportunity to publicly thank volunteers and to highlight their achievements. It is also a time to show county government in a positive light.
County governments celebrate National Volunteer Week in other ways, too.
Arlington County, Va. - Agencies nominate individual volunteers for outstanding service. They are recognized at an annual celebration to which all volunteers are invited.
Boulder County, Colo. - Makes grant awards to volunteer programs that enhance the volunteer experience or contribute to an agency or the community at-large. The program is unique because volunteers submit proposals for activities they think are important.
Awards from previous years have helped pay for volunteers to attend special training or to purchase educational toys for a program that serves children.
Henrico County, Va. - Cosponsored an evening of baseball and fun at the stadium of the Richmond, Va. minor league team. Volunteers, their families, and paid staff were all invited to attend.
The San Mateo County, Calif. AIDS Program - Produced a calendar featuring photos of its volunteers "in action." The calendar was distributed to volunteers and other community members.
Other counties have set a theme for the week's activities and planned events around that theme. For example, in Polk County, Fla., last year's theme was "Hooray for Volunteers - A Hollywood Salute to Polk County Board of Commissioners' Volunteers." In Baldwin County, Ala., volunteers were issued a warrant for "freely giving of self and time," and were summoned to the county courthouse for a special reception. Elected officials also played a role in recognizing the county's volunteers at these "court capers."
Volunteer recognition is an important motivational tool and should continue throughout the year. Simple expressions of "good morning" or "thank you" usually work best. Some counties give years of service pins, send birthday cards, provide professional development training and ask experienced volunteers to train newcomers. Many boards of commissioners pass a resolution recognizing the contributions of volunteers in county government.
(For more information about volunteer recognition, or to share your recognition ideas, contact NACo's Volunteerism Project by phone: at 202/942-4288 or by e-mail: plane@naco.org.)
Whereas, thousands of volunteers donate their time, energy, and expertise to ______County and other organizations that provide services to county residents; and
Whereas, volunteers contribute to the enrichment of our community and make _____County a better place to live; and
Whereas, volunteers are a valuable resource to _____County departments/agencies and contribute to the cost effectiveness of government operations; and
Whereas, volunteers strengthen the democratic process by participating in local government activities and working to solve community problems; and
Whereas, on April 1319, 1997, citizens across the United States of America will thank volunteers for their many contributions as part of National Volunteer Week;
Therefore, We, the Board of Supervisors/Commissioners/Freeholders of _____County, proclaim April 1319, 1997 as
Volunteer Recognition Week.
Adopted this___day of _____, 1997
(County Services News was written by Peter Lane, research associate.)