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› Creating Volunteer Opportunities
Updated 9/08
Creating Volunteer Opportunities
Contents
- Overview
- Legal References
- Washington Local Government Volunteer Programs
- Sample Application and Agreement Forms
- Manuals, Guides, Policies
- Organizations and Associations
Overview
Many cities, counties, and special districts have recognized the advantage of utilizing the skills of its community members in volunteer programs. Such programs can increase the quality and quantity of public services at a minimal cost, and provide an opportunity for citizens to contribute to the betterment of their community creating a sense of ownership and pride. ICMA’s IQ Service Report on Volunteer Programs (August 1999) noted that for every $1 invested by a local government in volunteers, it can realize as much as $10 in benefits. The city of Bellevue notes that 8,000 people volunteer their services through the city each year. Volunteers out number city employees by more than six to one and contribute 100,000 hours of time worth $1.5 million each year. With tight fiscal conditions, more local governments may be thinking about recruiting volunteers. This page provides background articles, links to Volunteer Opportunity programs of Washington local governments, and tools to create volunteer programs.
- 21 Ways to Serve America, Time Magazine, September 22, 2008
Legal References
- Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997
- RCW 4.24.670 Liability of volunteers of nonprofit or governmental entities
- RCW 51.12.035 Volunteers (Industrial Insurance)
- RCW 43.101.200 (Law Enforcement Personnel Training) exempts "volunteers" and "reserve officers" from the requirement that law enforcement personnel must complete basic law enforcement training
Washington Local Government Volunteer Programs
- Bellevue - Volunteering
- Burien Volunteer Opportunities - Scroll down Employment page
- Camas City Volunteers
- Duvall Volunteer Opportunities
- Federal Way Volunteer Opportunities
- Gig Harbor Bogue Volunteer Center
- Lacey Volunteer Opportunities
- Lake Forest Park Volunteer Opportunities
- Lakewood Get Involved/Volunteer
- King County Volunteer
- Kirkland Volunteer Program
- Kitsap County Volunteer
- Mercer Island Volunteer Opportunities
- Pierce County Volunteer Opportunities
- Puyallup Volunteer Opportunities
- Redmond Volunteer Opportunities
- Renton Volunteer Program
- Seattle Volunteer and Donate
- Snohomish County Volunteer Opportunities
- Shoreline Volunteer Opportunities
- Timberland Regional Library Volunteer
- Tukwila Volunteer Opportunities
- University Place Volunteer Opportunities
- Woodinville Get Involved
Sample Application and Agreement Forms
- Burien Volunteer Application
- Federal Way Volunteer Profile (
88 KB)
- Lakewood
- Volunteer Application ( 65 KB)- Requirements, instructions, time sheets required for L&I coverage, waiver of liability and criminal background check
- Lakewood Adopt -A-Site ( 296 KB)
- Lakewood Adopt -A- Street ( 299 KB)
- Volunteer Application (
- Kirkland Volunteer Application ( 24 KB)
- Kitsap County Volunteer Application Form
- Seattle Parks and Recreation Volunteer Registration ( 866 KB) - Contains service agreement, consent agreement for release of liability and release of information, requires recording of hours, criminal background check.
- Skamania County Facilities and Recreation Department - Agreement Regarding Individual Volunteer Service with Skamania County
- Tukwila Volunteer Application Form ( 63 KB)
Manuals, Guides, Policies
- Cowlitz County Youth Services Center Volunteer Unit Orientation Manual, April 2000
- Creating a Volunteer Handbook - Corporation for National and Community Service
- Monroe Volunteer Program Policy, July 1998
- National CASA/GAL Volunteer Training Curriculum & Volunteer Manual - Customized for Washington State by Washington State CASA
- National and Community Service - Tools, Training, and Information
- Recommended Guidelines for Background Checks - National Recreation and Park Association Express, July 2006
- Research Update: Making the Most of Volunteers, by Athanassios Strigas, Parks and Recreation, April 2006
- Seattle Animal Shelter Volunteer Orientation Manual ( 398 KB), 2008
- Spokane Public School District Volunteer Manual
- Utilizing Community Volunteers, A Volunteer Manual, Arrece Jameson, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, 1987 (Library Loan Request)
- Volunteer Management Resources - Volunteer Canada
- Volunteers in the Police Services (VIPS) Resource Guide
- Volunteers Resource Guide - National Center for State Courts
- University Place Policy and Procedure Adopt-A-Street (Park)
- Woodinville Volunteer Policies and Procedures ( 664 KB), Resolution 316, 2006
Organizations and Associations
- Corporation for National Community Service - U.S. Government - Programs include Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, Learn and Serve America
- Get Involved - Corporation for National and Community Service - federal agency charged by Congress to engage Americans in volunteer service
- Volunteering in America - Corporation for National Community Service
- Freedom Corps - President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
- National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government (NAVPLG)
- Volunteers in the Police Services (VIPS)
- Volunteer Canada
- Volunteer Today: An Electronic Gazette
- Washington Commission for National and Community Service - Washington State - Implements AmeriCorps programs
- Washington State University Volunteer Management Institute