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Approve a one-year contract with the Center for Volunteer and Non-Profit Leadership (CVNL) for $150,000 for volunteer support and advocacy services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to sign the contract
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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 one-year contract with the Center for Volunteer and Non-Profit Leadership (CVNL) for $150,000 for volunteer support and advocacy services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026; and Delegate authority to the County Administrator to sign the contract.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
Community volunteers play an essential role in the operations of many County departments and divisions, including, and not limited to Health and Social Services, Library Services, the Office of Emergency Services, Animal Services, Public Health, Registrar of Voters, Resource Management and Veterans Services. Additionally, many city governments, non-profits and community-based organizations in Solano County also benefit from using volunteers by leveraging a motivated group of individuals to perform specific activities, requiring a relatively limited financial investment while greatly enhancing the lives of residents in Solano County.
As part of their service agreement, CVNL manages the recruitment and matching of community-based volunteers throughout Solano County, including County departments, the seven cities and not-for-profit and community-based organizations. Volunteers are recruited at in-person events, through phone conversations, social media marketing efforts and by word-of-mouth. Once interested, volunteers are encouraged to register using the Solano Volunteers portal website. The Solano Volunteers website contains a dynamic and growing list of volunteer opportunities, including for individuals, families, groups, teens, retirees, in a variety of areas such as recovery response, National Day of Service events, animals, the environment, arts and entertainment, faith-based and virtual volunteering. The portal also allows existing and future volunteers to explore volunteer opportunities that match their passion, whether it is a one-time event helping distribute food or a long-term position helping students with their homework and learning to read.
Volunteers also play an essential role during local emergencies, including past events including the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency and LNU Lightning Complex fire recovery effort. The Volunteer Center, in coordination with the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), a local group of community organizations, plays a critical role following a disaster including, but not limited to, the coordination of emergency human services in concert with partner agencies such as the local emergency management agency and social services. A complete list of CVNL Volunteer Center accomplishments over the past year, including volunteer recruitment, outreach, matching and engagement, days of service events, community events, disaster response efforts and website portal analytics can be found in Attachment B.
BRIEF HISTORY OF COUNTY-CONTRACTED WORK WITH CVNL
On November 1, 2016, the Board approved a 3-year pilot project to develop a Solano County web-based Volunteer Center in coordination with County Departments and local agencies with the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Inc. (CVNL), authorizing the County Administrator to sign the agreement, renewals, and any amendments within budgeted appropriations. The County Administrator signed the original contract in 2016, including eight (8) contract amendments from 2016 - 2022. The County Administrator signed a new contract in 2023 and again in 2024.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR VOLUNTEER & NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The contract with CVNL for $155,000 covers the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with funding for the contract reflected in the County Administrator’s General Expenditures FY2025/26 Recommended Budget. The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the Department's FY2025/26 Recommended Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to approve the contract with CVNL; however, this is not recommended since the Volunteer Center has played a critical during past emergencies, including COVID-19 and LNU Lightning Complex fire emergencies, in addition to helping local non-profit and community organizations recruit, train, and strategically use volunteers as part of their community engagement and outreach strategy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrators' Office worked with all County departments who use the Volunteer Center, including the Office of Emergency Services and the seven cities in Solano County.