Volunteer Program Proposed for County

Supervisor Jim Silva wants the county to develop a formal program to place volunteers in various departments and agencies in a move he says could save the county thousands of dollars.

While individual county departments now use volunteers, Silva said there is no coordinator to match volunteers with assignments and no clearinghouse where people can call for information about donating their time.

Silva suggested that the county appoint a coordinator to field calls from prospective volunteers and work with departments to find activities they could perform.

“A person could call the county and talk to one person who knows what work needs to be done,” Silva said. “That’s a lot easier than having to call 10 different numbers and [having] them giving up in frustration.”

Volunteers and unpaid interns now help out throughout county government, from the county counsel’s office to the Sheriff’s Department. The Harbors, Beaches and Parks Division recently joined with the Boy Scouts in a partnership that encourages Scouts to earn merit badges through projects at county parks.

But Silva said that the county could benefit from more help, especially in light of the 800 county jobs that now sit vacant.

“There are students who need experience in a specific job who could volunteer,” he said. “We also have a large retired population that would like to give something back.”