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Adopt a resolution and receive a presentation proclaiming the week of April 15-21, 2018 as National Volunteer Week in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution declaring National Volunteer Week and receive a presentation on community volunteer support efforts in County programs.
SUMMARY:
April 15-21, 2018 is National Volunteer Week. During this time, we celebrate the spirit of service in America and honor those who demonstrate the great character of our country through acts of kindness, generosity and compassion by volunteering to help others. This year the Solano County Board of Supervisors will host a recognition ceremony on April 10 at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 2,035 volunteers who gave unselfishly of their time and expertise in 2017 to support County operations. Volunteers served County departments in areas as diverse as youth and family services, master gardeners, 4H leadership, libraries, fire protection, community health, open space, the arts, parks and recreation, transportation, senior citizens, resource conservation, public safety and emergency preparedness - totaling 90,556 hours.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing and disseminating this resolution is included in the County Administrator’s FY2017/18 Adopted Budget. The cost of the County hosted reception is modest and was included in the FY2017/18 Promotions budget.
DISCUSSION:
This year marks the 44th anniversary of the first National Volunteer Week, which was established by executive order by President Richard Nixon as an annual celebration of volunteerism and the people who volunteer. Since that time, each U.S. President, along with many governors, mayors and other elected officials, have signed a proclamation promoting National Volunteer Week.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 62.6 million people volunteered through or for an organization in 2017 with a volunteer rate of approximately 24.9 percent. Volunteers worked an estimated 7.8 billion hours an at estimated value of $184 billion dollars. Volunteering is central to the American character and is a fundamental expression of responsible citizenship.
This volunteer spirit benefits the County immensely, as volunteers expand the capacity of department’s ability to provide programs and services to the community, whether that is reading to a child at the library, clearing a trail at the park, mentoring a child through the 4-H program, teaching residents how to garden, assisting on a search and rescue mission, cleaning up a local landmark, helping preserve Solano County’s history or serving on a board or commission.
The range of active volunteers varies greatly in Solano County. Some volunteers spend an hour or two here and there, supporting an event or cause to which they are passionate, whereas others donate hundreds of hours a year to a single cause. In 2017, 2,035 individuals volunteered a combined 90,556 hours of their time to support Solano County programs and services in the community. Their efforts add up to the equivalent of more than 43 full-time County employees providing program support and services to the Solano community over the course of the year.
For a complete list of County departments that use volunteers to support their operations and a sampling of the kind of work volunteers perform, benefiting the Solano community, please see Attachment B.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to receive this presentation; however, this is not recommended because it provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions of volunteers who make a difference in the quality of life across the county.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
All County departments, including the Center for Volunteers and Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) contributed to this report. Departments utilize volunteers to support their programs and services and appreciate the contributions that volunteers make toward ensuring Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION