Partners In Environment A Collaborative Volunteer Management Strategy

History Central Coast Sustainability Summit 2012 Partners in Education Model –Developing since 2008

Why Based on success of networks Win-Win Redirects overflow of volunteer interest to groups needing volunteers. Connects organizations with Niche volunteers

Success of the Model Works for all scales –Small organizations –Organizations that need lots of volunteers occasionally –Large groups looking to expand their base 6,000 volunteers in 70,000 hours of service at over 110 sites

7 Steps to Success 1. Volunteer recruited. (Interests and availability noted) 2. Teacher request received. Reproduced with permission of Santa Barbara County Education Office

What Volunteers Do Mentors Tutors Special events Sports programs Office/ library support Facilities improvement Gardens/ landscaping Field trip chaperones Computers/technology Arts/ music programs Student club advisors After school programs Career Day speakers Classroom guest speakers Mock job interviews Community service fairs Informational interviews Resume coaches Job shadows Workplace tours Advisory committees Teacher externships Student internship hosts Reproduced with permission of Santa Barbara County Education Office

7 Steps to Success 1. Volunteer recruited. (Interests and availability noted) 2. Teacher request received. 3. Volunteer screened, trained and oriented. 4. Schedule finalized with volunteer and teacher. 5. Volunteer Passport ed. 6. Feedback obtained from volunteer and teacher. Reproduced with permission of Santa Barbara County Education Office

Feedback Santa Barbara County Education Office Feedback system allows Partners in Education to address negative experiences from volunteers/teachers at any site immediately.

7 Steps to Success 1. Volunteer recruited. (Interests and availability noted) 2. Teacher request received. 3. Volunteer screened, trained and oriented. 4. Schedule finalized with volunteer and teacher. 5. Volunteer Passport ed. 6. Feedback obtained from volunteer and teacher. 7. Recognition of volunteer. Reproduced with permission of Santa Barbara County Education Office

Volunteer Hub PROSCONS Convenient for volunteers (only screened once, lots of opportunities in one place) Coordination necessary, work to set up information sharing agreements and MOUs More efficient marketing- one stop shop Organizations may not feel comfortable sharing volunteers (potential donors) Each organization may be able to have less/no volunteer managers because of coalition Each organization gives up a little identity and ownership for the greater good. Collaborative grants/funding easier to secure Current managers may feel threatened Reproduced with permission of Santa Barbara County Education Office

The Big Question Why is there nothing similar within the environmental community?

Working Towards an Answer April 30, 2013 –Open meeting with members from 13 local stakeholders Habitat for Humanity SB Foundation UCSB Auduban Goleta Valley Beautiful Sierra Club Santa Barbara Foundation City of Santa Barbara Westmont College SBCC Center for Sustainability PRformance Group SBCEO Fund For Santa Barbara

April Outcomes Drafted Goals for program –Volunteer registration Screening process Interests and availability Guidelines for what is expected of volunteers –Centralized prerequisites (fingerprinting, release forms, orientation/training, etc.)

April Outcomes Drafted Goals for program –Member communication –Exploration of volunteer opportunities –Activity and participation monitoring –Feedback and Recognition Formed Working Group to take Next Steps

Working Group June Meeting –Pillar Values of Coalition Environmentalism Collaboration Volunteerism

Working Group June Meeting –Finding Best Practices Volunteer Honor Roll Weekly in-need projects Family volunteer projects Staff training for working with volunteers Roadies – Volunteers dedicated to volunteer management/behind the scenes

Conclusion Idea is still in infancy Examples of successful networks abound Community sees potential

What You Can Do Attend Working Group Meeting in November –Leave your address to be included in scheduling or to be kept updated Thank You