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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJC Volunteer In ParksJefferson County Parks and Recrea�on Advisory Board Volunteer in Parks Plan - Ini�al Steps Mission of JCPR Improve and maintain the health, welfare, and safety of ci�zenry; protect the environment, and promote economic development through state -of-the-art parks, trails, and recrea�onal programs and facili�es… Background Parks staff do not have the ability to dedicate staff �me to further enhance the exis�ng parks maintenance volunteer program. It is therefore up to the JCPRAB to develop, implement, and coordinate the program if so desired. Board Member Involvement Board Member involvement in the program outside of board mee�ngs is completely op�onal. However, Board members are encouraged to develop a general knowledge of the parks and programs in their district to respond to ci�zens’ inquiries about their parks and opportuni�es for doing volunteer work. Mission of Volunteer in Parks Program Promote the parks by providing meaningful opportuni�es for ci�zen par�cipa�on in maintaining the parks and facilita�ng programs in the parks. Strategic Objec�ves Complete tasks that aid in the use, enjoyment, and/or preserva�on of the parks, and help relieve parks staff of certain tasks so they can complete more cri�cal work. Sample Tasks - Adopt a park! Monitor for liter, garbage collec�on, bathroom condi�ons, vandalism, indigent camps, illegal wood cu�ng or resource harves�ng. Report unsafe condi�ons and damage to facili�es or resources to Parks Manager promptly. - Minor repairs and pain�ng of wood structures - Updates and improve signage and kiosk informa�on. - Pressure wash athle�c courts and other hard surfaces - Restore natural areas with local vegeta�on. - Basic gardening and landscape work - Tr ail maintenance and repair Equipment Volunteers will be encouraged to use their own hand and power tools and safety gear. Parks may be able to provide tools and safety gear upon request. Chainsaws are not allowed. Safety Volunteers should only use tools they are experienced with and should always work within sight of one another. At least one member of the party should have a phone to use in case of emergency. Professional Staff Considera�ons Maintenance work in Jefferson County Parks is union work by contract. The outstanding professional maintenance staff are usually happy to encourage and support volunteerism, but it is very important to understand that volunteer projects must be approved in advance and that volunteer maintenance cannot replace or supplant professional maintenance. In addi�on, volunteer maintenance o�en generates addi�onal work for professional staff that must be considered and approved in advance. • Volunteer maintenance ideas should begin with a proposal and coordina�on with professional maintenance staff, usually via the parks and recrea�on manager • Projects will list what is needed from professional staff • Volunteer projects can be cancelled or modified at any�me based on these issues. Management/Repor�ng - No�fy the Parks Manager in advance of any proposed volunteer ac�vity. Any volunteer ac�vity must be supervised by a Board member or long-term volunteer (e.g. Indian Island volunteer coordinator or Gibbs Lake trails maintenance coordinator). - The volunteer leader should arrive ahead of all par�cipants and leave the site only a�er all par�cipants have departed. Volunteers must sign official Parks volunteer registra�on form. - Report accidents that occur immediately. - Report volunteer ac�vity to Parks Manager as directed. Adver�sing/Outreach The local farmers markets offer a good opportunity to help promote the parks to the public and encourage volunteer par�cipa�on. Local organiza�on newsleters offer announcing such non-profit ac�vi�es at no cost. Announcement can also be placed on local papers - PT/Chimacum Farmer’s Market Vendor Booth. Offered free on apace available basis. Apply by Feb 1 for spring/summer, July 1 for fall/winter. Up to 2 days per six-month period. - Newsleters: Local 20/20; Jefferson Land Trust; WSU Water Programs Volunteer News - PT Leader/PDN Volunteer Apprecia�on JCPRAB Bylaws: “Provide a program of recogni�on and apprecia�on to parks and recrea�on volunteers”. Op�ons include but may not be limited to: - Volunteer Apprecia�on Event - Leter of Apprecia�on/Cer�ficate - BOCC Proclama�on Subcommitee Consider establishing a standing subcommitee to discuss volunteer program development.