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Approve a 3-year pilot project to develop a Solano County web based Volunteer Center in coordination with County Departments and local agencies; Approve a contract with the Center for Volunteer & Non-Profit Leadership Inc. in the amount of $134,750 for the period of November 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017; and Authorize the County Administrator to sign the agreement, renewals, and any amendments within budgeted appropriations
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve a 3-year pilot project to develop a Solano County web based Volunteer Center in coordination with County Departments and local agencies; Approve a contract with the Center for Volunteer & Non-Profit Leadership Inc. in the amount of $134,750 for the period of November 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017; and Authorize the County Administrator to sign the agreement, renewals, and any amendments within budgeted appropriations.
SUMMARY:
Volunteers are essential to many county departments and local agencies. Engaging volunteers to become partners in addressing the growing needs of the community is one solution that requires a relatively limited financial investment, leverages an existing and growing resource and benefits residents, communities, and local agencies. Developing a volunteer infrastructure and creating a culture of volunteerism in Solano County has the potential to address various community needs. In March of 2016 a Request for Proposals was conducted by General Services; however, no proposals were received. Subsequently, a proposal from The Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Inc. (CVNL) was submitted. CVNL has a proven track record and currently operates volunteer centers in the counties of Napa and Marin. The approval of the contract with CVNL would be the first step towards the establishment of a web based Volunteer Center in Solano County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In the FY2016/17 Adopted Budget funds were re-budgeted from FY2015/16 in order to allocate $138,000 in General Expenditures Budget Unit 1903 for the development of a Volunteer Center in Solano County. The contract with CVNL for $134,750 covers the period from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017 which includes 6 months of FY2017/18. It is anticipated that about $65,000 will be rolled forward and combined with additional funds to finance a renewal of the contract in the FY2017/18 budget process. The FY2018/19 budget would also need to include funding to complete the 3-year pilot project. The current funding source is 100% General Fund; however, it is anticipated that other County Departments and/or local agencies would contribute in the future.
DISCUSSION:
The idea for a Volunteer Center in Solano County can be traced back to Board discussions on March 25, 2008 regarding California Volunteers a 25-member State Commission. Staff was directed to compile a report and report back on establishing a Volunteer Center in Solano County with the intent to increase the number of people volunteering and services in the community. On April 13, 2010 the Board received a presentation from the Solano County Nonprofit Coalition which was working with the United Way, Wells Fargo Bank and the Volunteer Center of the East Bay to provide a web based Volunteer Center for the Solano County community. The plan was to develop and expand the service capacity of local nonprofit entities by utilizing volunteers. Unfortunately, this effort had limited funding and was short-lived. The idea was resurrected in FY2014/15 as part of The Poverty Summit and workgroup discussions on seniors and poverty. Community partners discussed the necessity to create a culture of volunteerism in Solano County as a means to support the following community needs:
1) Increase the wellbeing of Solano’s children, families and adults;
2) Supporting health, social and justice services delivery through community based organizations;
3) Increasing food security, mitigate homelessness, strengthen transportation, creation of more supportive housing, recreation, and preparing for disasters.
Various strategies were discussed with community partners and a 3-year pilot project was determined to be the best option because it would allow sufficient time to fully implement and evaluate the benefits of a web based volunteer center. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for a web based volunteer center, outreach services, and a countywide volunteer coordinator was released on March 15, 2016 by the Department of General Services Central Services Division. There were three interested parties and one that attended the pre-proposal conference; however, no proposals were received on the submission date of April 19, 2016. After the close of the RFP process additional outreach was conducted to interested parties and community partners that generated two post RFP proposals. Interviews of the two interested agencies were held on August 26, 2016. The interview panel included representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Library, Health & Social Services, and the County Administrator’s Office. The panel recommended contracting with the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Inc. to establish a web based Volunteer Center in Solano County.
The Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Inc. (CVNL) was established in 1964 and has extensive expertise in designing and implementing volunteer programs, recruiting volunteers as well as training and equipping nonprofits in effective volunteer management. CVNL currently supports dozens of nonprofits in the counties of Napa and Marin. CLVN will develop and maintain a Solano County web-based system of volunteer opportunities and connect with local volunteers looking for opportunities. CVNL will also provide training and technical assistance to Solano County users. CVNL promotes volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals to serve in their communities.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could elect not to approve the contract with CVNL; however, this is not recommended since the development of a volunteer center would help support the services provided by various County Departments and local agencies in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrators Office worked with the Department of General Services and Department of Information Systems along with various County Departments which currently utilize volunteers such as the Sheriff’s Office, Library, and Health & Social Services. County Counsel has reviewed the contract as to form.