For:  Emergency Management Agencies via Amateur Radio
Info: Communications Volunteers in Government Service
Info: Amateurs U.S. (@usa:Information), ACS, CAP, MARS, RACES
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), the volunteer
      communications reserve of the State of California 
      Governor's Office of Emergency Services  


Bulletin 389 - For Release 7/31/95
MGT - Volunteers- Images & Issues 2/7

In one emergency management agency, the development of policy on
use of volunteers was assigned to a staff person. However, in ten
years nothing was really accomplished, primarily because the
input of those directly involved with volunteers was never
obtained. Eventually, a planner was assigned the same project and
again it languished due to overload and other priorities. The
agency had a highly qualified volunteer manager who could have
brought the project to culmination in short order but was not
given that opportunity -- or even consulted. That agency's
"volunteer policy" still languishes in a never-never land; a
situation not unusual for government.

A major issue (or hurdle) in government is this: "Why should I
even consider the use of volunteers?"  To that the best response
we know is this: "Because, when done with an understanding of the
right program, it can PROVIDE YOU WITH BENEFITS you cannot obtain
otherwise -- significant and rewarding benefits." [Explanation
to follow.]
 
Another issue in government is the reluctance to deal with
volunteers. In some areas there is a notion that you have to baby
volunteers, go to great lengths not to offend them or some how
relate to a volunteer differently than you do with an employee.
However, THAT IS NOT SO! [Explanation will follow.]
 
A related concept in the minds of many government managers is
that they cannot possibly take on another program or a bunch of
people because they are already overloaded and overworked. Some
even think that they personally have to deal with 15, 50 or 150
volunteers, attend meetings and spend time they simply do not
have available. Again: THAT IS NOT SO! [An explanation will
follow.]

(Continued, next week)

ACS Addresses:  2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA. 95832.
Ph: 916-262-1600. FAX 916-262-1677. Landline BBS: 916-262-1657. 
W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA or Internet crm@oes.ca.gov or seh@oes.ca.gov.
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