Inspired by the civic culture of Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter has issued “a call to serve” in order to encourage more citizens to get involved and make a difference in their city and neighborhoods. The 2011 Volunteer Impact Challenge helps to coordinate the efforts of committed volunteers by outlining the city’s priorities and methodology to measure impact. The ten priorities provided on the SERVEPhiladelphia website are:

1. Teach Someone to Read
2. Become a Graduation Coach
3. Volunteer at a Library or Recreation Center
4. Support Your Block Captain (or become one!)
5. Tend a Tree or Community Garden
6. Promote Recycling
7. Organize an Ongoing Community Clean-Up
8. Serve on a Board
9. Help Create a Healthy Philadelphia
10. Donate Blood

The website allows people of different walks of life to collaborate with local government agencies and non profits, linking interests with suitable projects.

In difficult times, a skilled and committed community is an asset for its city. Building Community and local government partnerships can be a valuable tool, often infusing greater transparency and professionalism in the process.

During National Volunteer Week in April, we asked Knowledge Network users how their local governments were using volunteers in their communities. Responses included the description of ways in which volunteers contributed hours can be represented in millions of dollars. Among the many responses is one which mentions the knowledge that student volunteers can bring to ongoing projects. A mutually beneficial relationship can be created as college students interested in public service are able to get hands on city experience while also providing the time required for research and development of projects. You can find the discussion here.

To view more questions and discussions visit the Topic pages Volunteers and Citizen Engagement.  

Visit the Knowledge Network Documents for guidelines and management techniques to encourage and sustain volunteerism in your jurisdiction. Helpful documents include:

• League of Oregon Cities’ Managing Volunteers in a City  which provides guidelines for the management of volunteer process from recruitment, orientation to training and recognition.

3 Documents from the City of Roseville, California:

• Process to Start a Volunteer Program  - provides the steps needed to be taken from advertizing for Volunteers to Orientation.  
• Volunteer Handbook - provides the program mission statement, summary of City departments and functions, duties of a Volunteer, tax deductable information and administrative regulations.
• Volunteer Supervisor Handbook - provides the Volunteer process including Form location and Application, Activity description, training, information on Fingerprinting, Insurance, and Volunteer policies.