Cheers to Volunteers – Engagement,

Management and Appreciation

Creating Strong Relationships with Volunteers

Lori Williams, Rock County Parks

Cheers to Volunteers – Engagement, Management and Appreciation

As communities work with volunteers and “unpaid staff” to support their programs in various ways. In many cases, volunteers are essential to providing services beyond limited budgets and staffing restrictions .

Cheers to Volunteers – Engagement, Management and Appreciation

Pros and Cons of managing volunteers, friends groups, and partners to develop your parks facilities to their fullest potential.

Planning & PreparationNeeds AssessmentJob DesignRecruitmentScreening & PlacementOrientation & TrainingSupervision & EvaluationRecognition

What we will cover:

Rock CountyPopulation 160,331

726 Square Miles

County Budget $191.7 Million – 2015 $194.2 Million - 2016

1100 Acres of Parkland

18 Parks 3 trailways managed by

3 full time maintenance professionals, .25 administrative professional, Community coordinator, and Parks Director

Pros and Cons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros ConsProject Advocacy Project Advocacy

Vision to Reality Shared Vision?

Fundraising Limited budgets

Volunteers Managing balance with workforce

Enthusiasm and Ideas Channeling the energy

Hosting Events and Promotion of Parks Controlling Staff Involvement/AssumeOwnership of land

Guidance ToolsEducation for VolunteersCommunicationPolicy and LawsNeeds Assessments and Park PlansFunding PartnershipForms and WaiversEvents

Now it is time to RECRUIT!

• What skills are needed?

• What commitment are you asking ? (be honest!)

• Where might you find interested people?

• What are your local recruiting resources?

Screening & Placement – a.k.a. Catch and Release

• The more responsible the position, the greater the need for screening.

• It is okay to say “No.”

• Try to match the right people to the job open

• Some jobs are perfect for almost anyone.

Orientation and Training• Make sure each volunteer knows key facts and expectation

• Match training to duties

• Offer refreshers

• Consider pre- and post-tests to check training effectiveness

Supervision & Evaluation/Feedback

A good supervisor:•Communicates

•Orients & trains

•Has work ready

•Prepares

•Is Interested

•Understands

•Offers and Asks for feedback

•Is fair

•Shows respect

Fencing Project along Ice age Trail Project - $ 2,500 value

Rock Trail Coalition – Thousands of hours translate into $$$$$$

Friends of Carver Roehl and Staff worked together on Buckthorn Removal and Burning as part of DNR Grant Match Dollars and Labor

Total Project Cost $38,000 Volunteer Contribution $18,000

Gazebo donated by Friends GroupADA trail put in by Rock County

Beckman Mill Visitors Center – Built by volunteers

Friends of Beckman Mill Restored and Maintain Mill

1 of 3 Transit Vehicles promoting our Parks and recognizing major volunteer efforts in our system

Turtle Creek Parkway Home of Historic 5 Arch Stone BridgeBefore Volunteer Brush Clearing

Turtle Creek Volunteer Group 12 X 5 hours X $ 20 hours + community exposure on facebook page = PRICELESS!!!!

Turtle Creek Parkway Home of Historic 5 Arch Stone Bridge After Volunteer Brush Clearing

Questions? and

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