{"id":5898,"date":"2020-10-26T03:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-26T10:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coyotecommunications.com\/coyoteblog\/?p=5898"},"modified":"2020-10-26T07:12:48","modified_gmt":"2020-10-26T14:12:48","slug":"parkdistrict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coyotecommunications.com\/coyoteblog\/2020\/10\/parkdistrict\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteers guide process for future park district decisions in Oregon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We hear a lot about volunteers just cleaning up a park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What about volunteers leading in information gathering and guidance for the future of an entire park and recreation district?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The board of the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD)<\/a> in Oregon solicited feedback to guide them in future decisions, and that information-gathering, as well the subsequent report, was done by volunteers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dedicated multigenerational, multiethnic, and multilingual volunteer group \u2013 the Visioning Task Force (VTF), was recruited to work together and with district staff to lead outreach efforts. Their task: lead and help create public involvement strategies to meet communities where they are. Throughout the summer of 2019, they captured the unique stories, experiences, and creative ideas of district residents.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our volunteers represented the community well, reflecting a diversity in age, ethnicity, race, gender, and languages spoken. Their ability to connect with and advise the district on outreach strategies was impressive. Even more impressive was their commitment and dedication to leading the engagement efforts themselves and the hours they spent volunteering at events throughout the community to gather input.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resulting Vision Action Plan<\/a> was written by those community volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s more about the effort<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was this done because it was cheaper than hiring a consultant? I hope not. I hope the reason it was done was because volunteers were probably the best people for this task: they had no financial interest in telling the board what they might want to hear. Volunteers can often be more neutral, more questioning and more free-to-speak than paid consultants or employees. I would love to know more how these volunteers were chosen, supported and guided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is your organization involving volunteers in LEADERSHIP roles?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n