2005 Education & Outreach Newsletter

Developing a Volunteer Program to Assist in Your Area of Work
(Yes, YOU can take advantage of this opportunity)

Are you thinking about using volunteers with Department of Fish and Game work? Perhaps, you have considered but you’re not quite sure about taking on the responsibility. This quick guide may be just what you need to move ahead. Volunteers can play a big role in the Department’s mission. And their hours can add up to significant “in-kind match” to qualify for federal and private grants for wildlife conservation projects.

Here are some things to think about when considering the development of a volunteer program:

Skills needed to complete desired tasks should be well-considered in advance.

Proposed work should be work that is capable of being done by volunteers.

• Is it cost-effective? In some cases, utilizing staff may involve less time, energy and expense than to recruit, orient and train volunteers.
• Is staff willing to have the job done by volunteers? (Does all staff understand their roles in relations to the utilization of volunteers?)
• Are you looking at volunteer use on a long-term or short-term basis?
• Can we identify volunteers with skills to do the job - or can they be easily trained in the knowledge and backgound needed?
• Try an exercise: list benefits & costs of bringing volunteers on board. Be specific about tasks, recruitment, training, and supervising time as needed.

Is a support framework for the volunteer program available?

• Someone must be ready to act as volunteer coordinator
• It is important to follow volunteer policies and procedures such as inclusion of volunteers in insurance coverage. This information is available in the Volunteer Coordination Handbook on the DFG Intranet. If questions, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Griggs at (mdgriggs@dfg.ca.gov), (916) 651-7252.
• Be prepared for volunteers once they come on board: Do we have adequate space for them? Are special clothing and tools (office or field) in necessary supply? Are training options available?
• Can volunteer work be reasonably split into tasks that can be done during the work week, or on evenings/weekends if appropriate? (Is it amenable to a part-time situation?)
• Logging volunteer hours can be done efficiently and in a manner usable as qualifying match for federal grants. FIND OUT HOW!

Volunteers need to know their contribution is valuable.

• Is the work to be done meaningful (useful and significant to the agency, programs, and clients)?
• Are you able to explain the need for their contribution to them?
• Help them identify with DFG by means of volunteer vest, etc.
• Plan to recognize volunteers with show of appreciation for their efforts. This will go a long way toward reinforcing their dedication as well as the duration of their service.
• Consider that with Department use of volunteers we must be committed to programs that have long-term potential - and not just looking for "quick fix" solutions.

Sound like something you can evolve with your program? The benefits to be gained can be great. And going in with forethought will pay off handsomely.