Volunteer and Internship Program

About the Program

Category: Volunteers (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Volunteer and Internship Program is a program that was launched in June 2015 to unite the county’s efforts in volunteering and internship opportunities and to create an easy access point for the public to get involved. Prior to the formal program launch, information for volunteer and intern opportunities were communicated individually by each department leading to minimal public awareness, no set standards for reporting results, and little public engagement. The program works with more than ten departments in the county ranging from parks, libraries, community corrections, and public health. The new volunteer program constructed an online volunteer database to streamline all volunteer opportunities together and strategically place them in one program. This helps the county create unity and set standards for each department to follow, while allowing for flexibility between opportunities. By using an online database, county coordinators can stay in touch with any volunteer or intern in the county and it also provides a way for our volunteers and interns to stay connected to what the county is doing. With the creation of the volunteer database, confusion has been eradicated, leading to a more enlightening experience for both parties.