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Subjects › Governance › Creating Volunteer Opportunities
Updated 11/2011

Creating Volunteer Opportunities

Contents

Introduction

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. According to Volunteering in America , a U.S. government website, 62.8 million adults volunteered almost 8.1 billion hours in local and national organizations in 2010. The service is valued at almost $173 billion. Washington State is reported to have an average annual volunteer rate of 33.7%, with 1.7 million volunteers serving 218.9 million total hours per year. The value is $4.7 billion of service contributed. With tight fiscal conditions, more local governments may be thinking about recruiting volunteers. This page provides background articles, legal references, a few examples of the dollar value placed on volunteers by some of our local governments, links to volunteer opportunity programs of Washington local governments, and tools to create volunteer programs. The three items cited below provide an overview to the topic.

Legal References

  • Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (Adobe Acrobat Document)
  • 29 C.F.R. 553, Subpart B - Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Employees of State and Local Governments - Volunteers
  • RCW 4.24.670 - Liability of volunteers of nonprofit or governmental entities
  • RCW 35.21.278 - Contracts with community service organizations for public improvements - Limitations
  • 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
  • Volunteers, U.S. Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor
  • Minimum Wage Act Applicability (Adobe Acrobat Document), Policy ES. A. 1, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Standards Administrative Policy - See Section 6.d, Exclusions - Volunteers

Value of Volunteer Time

Washington Local Government Volunteer Programs

The websites listed below illustrate the variety of volunteer opportunities and programs. A few jurisdictions post event calendars and some include volunteer events for the entire community. A number of jurisdictions provide links to other organizations in the community seeking volunteers.

  • Bellevue Volunteering - Bellevue offers positions for teens to seniors in positions ranging from civic engagement to parks and recreation. The site lists volunteer possibilities by category, provides links to city's current volunteer needs, volunteer orientation presentation, volunteer guide, and place to sign up for updates.
  • Camas City Volunteers - Provides volunteer opportunities in parks and recreation, library, downtown revitalization, boards and commissions, fire department
  • Federal Way Volunteering in Federal Way - Emphasizes the importance of volunteering and lists current opportunities
  • Kirkland Volunteer Program - Volunteers assist city staff in all departments enhancing services to the Kirkland community by restoring the natural vegetation in city parks, supporting the city council in legislative matters, assisting with special events, and providing office support. Website provides a page of volunteer opportunities with brief write-ups on each.
  • Kitsap County Volunteer - Arranges information by type of audience and provides a brief summary for each. It addresses what volunteers can do and the benefits that can received. The audience categories are youth, adults, college student interns, high school students, and groups such as church, community service, support, military, youth and business groups.
  • Lacey Volunteer Opportunities - Notes that volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours of community service. In addition to boards and commissions, the page provides links to animal services, community projects, and the WIN! (Work Involvement Now!) program tailored specifically for youth groups and student classes looking to broaden their volunteer experience.
  • Lakewood Volunteering - Provides both city and community opportunities for volunteering, including Lakewood Promise and Emergency Shelter (Emergency Management) volunteers
  • Mercer Island Volunteer Opportunities - In addition to boards and commissions, volunteer opportunities listed include Youth and Family Services (YFS), the parks and recreation department, Volunteer Outreach in Communities Everywhere (VOICE), the Summer Volunteer Program (SVP), and emergency preparedness
  • Puyallup Volunteer Opportunities - A comprehensive website that provides information on how to volunteer including, Eagle Scout projects in the city, job shadow requests, and student volunteer requirements. Links to city opportunities include boards and commissions, the public library, parks and recreation, police VIPs, Metro Animal Control and Adoptions, the Puyallup Activity Center, and the city hall Visitor Services Station. The site also lists other organizations in the community seeking volunteers including Puyallup Main Street.
  • Seattle Volunteer and Donate - An extensive program that includes both the city and community volunteer needs. The site provides an event calendar and a volunteer blog.
  • Snohomish County Volunteer Opportunities - Website provides descriptive list of volunteer opportunities, particularly in public works and human services related areas. The Surface Water Management Division provides a calendar of upcoming events that includes volunteer opportunities
  • Sultan Volunteer Opportunities - Provides a description of volunteer efforts in the community and lists community opportunities
  • Timberland Regional Library Get Involved - List ways in which persons can become involved in supporting the library.
  • Tukwila Volunteer Opportunities - The city states that the mission of the City of Tukwila Volunteer Program is to increase the interaction of city government with Tukwila citizens and local businesses. It helps the city enhance its existing service offerings and/or expand them through the use of volunteer expertise and it helps bring the many diverse populations of the community together to achieve a stronger, more connected community. The website offers a volunteer newsletter, lists current openings, and provides a list of links to organizations with current local volunteer opportunities.
  • Woodinville Volunteer - Provides an event calendar

Environmental Program Examples

Sample Application and Agreement Forms

Manuals, Guides, Policies

Background Checks

Organizations and Associations