Page 4 Volunteer Happy Anniversary Notes The Volunteer View We congratulate these volunteers who celebrate their anniversaries Volunteers Integral The Monthly Newsletter for Marin County Civic Center Volunteers this month and thank them for their ongoing involvement. to County Fair One secret of the Marin Volume 35, Issue 7 July 2012 10 years Doug Kunst, Lookout; Stan Rowen, Driver, Fire County Fair’s success is its 6 years Pat Barton, Aide, Bolinas Library; Judy Countermine, Advocate, H&HS high-energy volunteer team. 4 years Bruce Schomaker, John Newman, Lookouts, Fire More than 500 volunteers, Adam Friedman: experienced 3 years Ellen Obstler, Copyeditor for Frankly Speaking, HR many of whom return 2 years Chrisula T. Asimos, Maria Gregoriev, Susan O’Brien, Roy Panelli, FAST Team Volunteers, H&HS; annually, fill a wide range of Parks volunteer at age 12 functions, from receiving Marge Genolio, Shelver, Inv. Library; David Ngo, Court Processing Asst., Courts; Bruce Schwarze, exhibit entries to greeting Library Asst., CC Library; Betty Stewart, Receptionist, Cultural Services fair-goers at the gates. 9, Adam actually began volunteering 1 year Helen Imrie, Admin. Asst., H&HS; Anne Nadler, Advocate, H&HS “Volunteers are integral to at the age of 4, washing hubcaps at the Fair and the entire Fair car washes because he was just the family is so appreciative,” right height to reach them. The car said Exhibits Supervisor washes were the first of many Charlie Barboni. Mitzvah Day service projects orga- This year’s “Fresh, Fun & nized by his synagogue, Congregation Local” fair runs through Rodef Shalom, in which he would July 4. See you there! participate. Adam’s love for animals later led him to volunteer at Wildcare in San Rafael, where he at Holiday! one point donated a whole year’s County offices will be closed savings to their efforts. Wednesday, July 4, in honor This spring Adam decided to con- of Independence Day. tinue volunteering to feed the homeless and visit elderly residents CCV Staff of nursing homes, while also increas- Anne Starr ing his efforts with Marin County Volunteer Coordinator Parks. He has committed to working 415-473-7167 every Friday after school for county [email protected] parks. He works at McInnis Park in Adam Friedman keeps wildlife San Rafael or Paradise Beach Park Joy Fossett habitats and parks clean and safe. Intern Coordinator depending on the needs. “Recently, 415-473-7447 Adam Friedman began volunteering on a warm spring evening at Paradise [email protected] for Marin County Parks three years ago Park, on the type of night where, at the age of 9. His first project was between the blue water and rolling Connie Humphrey working to pick up litter in sensitive hills, there is no better place on Phone: 415-473-7407 FAX: 415-473-6557 wildlife habitat and pull invasive non- earth, I couldn’t help but notice the [email protected] native Russian thistle plants. A great focus in Adam’s mulch-spreading photo was taken of him that day – a approach,” said Park Ranger Kevin Volunteers: stuffed trash bag slung over each of his O’Donoghue. “Adam is a great Barbara Webb, Writer shoulders, he was completely focused, volunteer whose hard work and Shirley Trimble, Writer Bernard Geiger, Managing walking carefully on the narrow wetland dedication are great examples of Editor trail, though rushing to avoid setting the what is right with the youth of today. Steve Sarhad, Computer bags down to rest along the way. His parents should be proud of his Consultant efforts; I know we are!” Today, Adam continues to volunteer Administrative Volunteers: regularly for Marin County Parks. At 12 Adam attends Brandeis Hillel Day Joanne Elder, Marie School in San Rafael, and lives in Mill Fitzgerald, Vivienne years old, his resume is already years Freeman, Deborah Gregor, ahead of him. Adam is blessed with a Valley with his parents Stacy and Aleksandra Joswiak, Kathy remarkable capacity to give his time and Frank Friedman and younger brother

Khalvati, Susan Levine, David Eli. San Rafael, CA 94903 CA Rafael, San energy in support of his passions. While

Mandel, Bess Niemcewicz

3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 415 Suite Drive, Center Civic 3501 his career as a parks volunteer began at

Marin County Human Resources Human County Marin and Rosella Rhine By Kirk Schroeder

Civic Center Center Civic Volunteers Page 2 Page 3 Who’s New & Welcome Bernard Geiger volunteers as editor for Volunteer View Megan Baltierra, Legal Intern, DA Kathleen Natividad, Legal Intern, PD Ashish Bhatt, Legal Intern, DA Erol Nelson, Legal Intern, PD View,” said CCV Volunteer Coor- their impact on all the programs. I Rona Bodman, Dental Intern, HHS Richard Peterson, FAST, HHS dinator Anne Starr. feel I can make a solid contribution Thilini Chandrasekera, Public Guardian Intern, HHS Tamara Sanchez Monter, Advocate, HHS by putting out the newsletter.” Stephen Sarhad, Web Developer, IST Like previous volunteer editors, Thomas Daly, Legal Intern, PD After graduation from the Univer- Aaron Schwartz, Legal Intern, PD Bernie edits copy and lays out the Elizabeth Hartman, Prev’n. Hub Intern, HHS sity of Washington with a degree in Rebecca Sudtell, FAST, HHS pages. In addition, he writes Travis Jones, Attorney Assistant, DA finance and business economics, Jose Tijero, Intern, Probation headlines, captions, and the Catherine Kimel, Legal Intern, PD Bernie has spent 25 years as a Cassady Toles, Legal Intern, PD occasional article. He works David Kolek, Attorney, DA financial analyst for banks and Grant Miller, Legal Intern, PD closely with writers to plan issues months ahead. To generate private equity firms, the last 11 story ideas, he communicates years doing independent financial with staff members who super- research, consulting, editing, and Volunteers step up vise volunteers. “He is reliable, writing. He has been published by Bernard Geiger provides extensive pays close attention to detail, and Minyanville.com, a website focusing CCV Event Aides Kathy Remak, The volunteer team helped partici- newletter production experience. always has a spring in his step on finance and economics. Deborah Gregor, Marie pants all day during the April event, when he comes in for his weekly This Larkspur resident is an Fitzgerald, and Frankie Baxter which included speakers, work- When long-time financial guru and shift. We’re lucky to have him on enthusiastic researcher, reading (pictured at right) staffed busy shops, and career counseling. editor Bernard Geiger showed the team,” added Anne. (mostly nonfiction) and searching registration tables for the Coordinator Katie Gaier said the up in January at the Civic Center online on wildly diverse topics county’s first Career Develop- volunteers were “amazingly won- Volunteers office to interview as the For Bernie this editorship was his which interest him. He exercises ment Day, organized by the derful and efficient and made the new volunteer editor for The first exposure to the public daily and occasionally hikes with Human Resource Department check-in process seem Volunteer View, the timing and match sector. “The staff has been wel- the Sierra Singles. Growing up in and attended by 122 employees. completeley seamless.” were perfect. “Bernie’s extensive coming and has helped me get up newsletter production experience to speed. I think that The Volunteer San Anselmo, Bernie attended local has allowed us to increase volun- View is an excellent way to schools and enjoyed boating with Michael Landram brings forestry expertise teer involvement in The Volunteer showcase the work and dedica- his family on the California Delta. tion of county volunteers and By Shirley Trimble with the USDA Forest Service, in Boulder, CO. Five grandchildren Pacific Southwest Region, for 23 keep them busy. Michael helps Consumer Protection Unit: Problem solvers for Marin years. In September 2009 he was homeschool his grandsons by focusing awarded the John R. McGuire on field trips that highlight things that Sick of being ripped off? Been a than 400 criminal and civil cases believe, are blessed to have this Award for his efforts to replant come into the house, like electricity, scam victim or wronged by a resulting in fines and penalties of program and the program is large patches of California forests and things that leave the house, like landlord? Not to fear because more than $8.4 million. Con- certainly blessed to have great the Consumer Protection Unit sumer Services Coordinator burned by increasingly high garbage. volunteers who often work eight severity wildfire, including the in the Marin County District David Ball heads the Mediation hours a week or more helping our Attorney’s Office is ready to Unit, which engages the services 2007 Moonlight fire in the His supervisor, Carl Szawarzenski, residents resolve their issues. I northern Sierra. help. Eleven dedicated volun- of 11 volunteer mediators. take great pride in this group of Supervising Trail Equipment Operator, teers provide important supple- David said, “Marin residents, I said, ”Michael came to us with an dedicated and concerned citizens.” “Connecting to land and people mental help to the unit. Michael Landram uses his professional interest in volunteering and said that, By Rosella Rhine that share that connection are experience as a forester to benefit Parks. after a career in the US Forest Service, People and businesses should be part of how I define myself,” he he was ready to settle down in Novato Forester Michael Landram held accountable for their said. “Making those connections and put roots in the Marin community. started volunteering this past actions and with this in mind, the in the place I call home is part of He set a personal goal to hike all Marin February. He logged 72 hours in Consumer Protection Unit how I build community. I have a County Open Space trails in 2012 and one month hiking the trails and assists the disputing parties in strong passion for wise aware- asked if there was any way to use his gathering information. He said, filling out complaint forms, then ness, use, and care of natural time and experience to help Parks. He “I’m collecting information for the works with the parties to resources. In retirement, I intend told us that he never met a spread- county about bridges and achieve mutually acceptable to share that passion with the sheet that he didn’t like and he could erosion-control structures and solutions. Since the creation of people of Novato and Marin.” observe, inventory, and photograph. taking photos for staff use.” the unit in 1979, it has recov- Michael lives with his wife Teresa Wow! We couldn’t be more thrilled to ered, through mediation and With a B.S. in forest management in Novato. They have three have such an amazing person with a court-ordered restitution, more huge amount of experience volunteer- than $4.5 million for consumers. and a master’s in business admin- daughters: Genesta in Oakland; Team members: Linda Davis, staff member Maria Figueroa, Rochelle Newman, Joan Gosliner, istration, Michael was a forester Kindra in Flagstaff, AZ; and Sadie ing for us.” by Barbara Webb The unit has also prosecuted more Ken Gosliner, Roy Fidler, Paul Peterzell, and coordinator David Ball. Back: Charles Wallace. Not pictured: Ted Bright, Madeleine Rethmeyer, Al Burnham, Kristina Warcholski.