Volunteer Manual
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2019 VOLUNTEER MANUAL HoCoParks APP WELCOME, New & Returning Volunteers Dear Volunteer, I would like to welcome you to the volunteer programs of the Department of Recreation & Parks. We have a rich tradition in utilizing Howard County’s committed volunteers in a diverse and beneficial way so that your participation will increase the quality of our program offerings and facilities. The opportunities are endless for you to assist us in the delivery of Recreation & Parks programs to all Howard County citizens. The commitment that you have made represents a willingness to improve your community now and in the future. The time that you have committed represents the belief that volunteering will improve the quality of life in our community. The volunteer program plays a major role in the Recreation & Parks operation. The Department of Recreation & Parks and its staff are eager to begin working with you. I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of your time and experience. By reading this manual, you will become knowledgeable of the Department of Recreation & Parks system and hopefully the manual will answer most of the questions you may have concerning our department. Again, I would like to thank you for volunteering your time and experience. Sincerely, John R. Byrd Director VOLUNTEERING GUIDEBOOK Included is information regarding the various divisions within the Department of Recreation & Parks, as well as a range of topics relating to volunteering. Please read this manual before your volunteer opportunity. Continue to use it as a reference as your volunteer experience develops. “Alone we can do SO LITTLE; QUESTIONS: Contact our Volunteer Manager at, together we can do SO MUCH.” 410-313-4624 - Hellen Keller TABLE OF CONTENTS Department Mission ....................................................... 4 Two Adult Rule ........................................................... 18 Volunteer Program Mission .......................................... 5 Injury, Incident and Accident Reports ............... 18 The Department at a Glance ....................................... 5 Emgergency Procedures ....................................... 19 Staff Contact Information ............................................. 7 Safety Procedures ..................................................... 19 Volunteer Opportunities ............................................... 9 Inclusion Services and Facilities & Community Centers .......................... 9 Adaptive Programming ........................................... 19 Program Areas .................................................................... 9 Separation of Volunteer Service .......................... 19 Program Cancelations & Delayed Openings .......... 11 Feedback/Evaluations ............................................. 20 Program Status Line ......................................................... 12 On the Job Training ................................................. 20 Absenteeism & Punctuality ................................... 20 Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities ............................. 13 Identification ............................................................... 20 Introduction ................................................................ 13 Borrowing and Lending .......................................... 20 Goals .............................................................................. 13 Smoking ....................................................................... 20 Definition of A Volunteer ....................................... 13 Record Keeping ......................................................... 20 Benefits of Volunteering ........................................ 13 Volunteer Recogniton ............................................. 14 Appendix ...............................................................................21 Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities ............... 14 A. Sample Volunteer Application Form .............21 How To Get Started ................................................. 14 B. Sample Volunteer Agreement Form ............. 23 Volunteer Application Process ............................. 14 C. Sample Volunteer Timecard ............................24 Supporting Documents .......................................... 15 D. Sample Volunteer Job Description ..............26 E. Sample Volunteer Sign-In/ Sign-Out Permission Form ............................... 27 Volunteer Procedures and Guidelines ...................... 16 F. Sample Volunteer Evaluation Form ...............28 Orientation and Training ........................................ 16 G. Work Permit Information ................................30 Supervision .................................................................. 16 Age Minimum ............................................................. 16 Duty Restrictions ....................................................... 16 Criminal Background Information...................... 16 Written Communication, Social Media, & Confidentiality ........................................................ 17 Drug and Alcohol Use ............................................. 17 Dress Code .................................................................. 17 Solicitation ................................................................... 17 Volunteer Liability ..................................................... 17 Income Taxes ............................................................. 17 Transportation/Driving ............................................ 18 Conduct ....................................................................... 18 Harassment ................................................................. 18 Ethics Code ................................................................. 18 Reference Checks ..................................................... 18 DEPARTMENT MISSION Howard County Recreation & Parks — Volunteer Manual 4 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MISSION The mission of the volunteer program is to enhance the programs and services of the Recreation & Parks Department with additional resources while providing opportunities for the citizens of Howard County to contribute to their community. THE DEPARTMENT AT A GLANCE Accreditation The Bureau of Capital Projects, Park Planning & Construction Howard County Recreation & Parks is accredited through the Commission Provides a quality park system for the citizens of for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Howard County helps protect the County’s sensitive Agencies (CAPRA). To achieve accred- natural resources. itation, the department is required to meet over 150 standards covering all The Bureau of Parks operations contained in leisure services. Provides management, maintenance, operation and These professional standards serve as an aid for improving construction services for county owned parkland, performance and maintaining quality. They provide park and open space and facilities. recreation agencies with an ability to evaluate their operation, Park Renovations, Building Maintenance & Heritage while achieving and maintaining a level of efficiency and Conservation Division is responsible for renovating effectiveness. Howard County Recreation & Parks achieved park buildings, building playgrounds and bridges, accreditation in 2001, 2006 and reaccreditation in 2012 repairing pathways, restoring tennis courts, preserving and 2017. and conserving the heritage sites and various other tasks utilizing a broad range of skilled trades. Department Overview The Horticulture and Land Management Division is The Department of Recreation & Parks was established in responsible for park horticulture wildflower planting, 1968 by county charter to plan and provide recreational turf management and refuse collection and maintains programs, parks and facilities for your enjoyment. Howard the grounds of all the government buildings. County’s Recreation & Parks and Open Space Master Plan The Natural & Historic Resources Division is set forth guidelines for developing county, community and responsible for the Reforestation program; and, neighborhood parks, preserving open space and historic Howard County owned open space, management sites and designing sites and recreation activities and facilities of wildlife habitat and wetlands and stream-bank to serve the citizens of Howard County. Our mission is to stabilization. Additionally, the heritage initiative is to utilize a TEAM approach to provide a high quality recreation capture and convey the authentic and rich history of and park system that promotes opportunities for all Howard Howard County through educational programs and County residents to pursue safe and enjoyable leisure historic preservation. activities in balance with protection and conservation of The Parks Operations & Heritage Division manages natural resources. and operates all of the parks including the regional parks: Centennial, Cedar Lane, Rockburn Branch, Schooley Mill and Western Regional. The Division maintains sports fields, conservation area and nature trails. Park Operations is also responsible for interpreting the heritage of Howard County as reflected in the diverse historic and cultural resources. Howard County Recreation & Parks — Volunteer Manual 5 The Bureau of Recreation Services The Bureau of Administrative Services Provides diverse leisure opportunities for all regardless Provides customer service, publications, marketing, of age or ability. registration, technology and supplies, accounts The Recreation Services Division is responsible payable