Logan City Parks and Rec

Volunteers Are Fundamental

Boo At the Zoo Volunteers Logan Parks and Recreation offers a variety of volunteer opportunities such as coaching youth, helping with special events, participating on various advisory boards, or helping with parks and trail cleanup projects. We provide volunteer activities for individuals, organizations, and businesses which can be one-day events or ongoing services when opportunities become available.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the value of one volunteer hour in 2010 was $17.54. This past year, community volunteers donated up to 11,063 hours to the Logan Parks and Recreation Department—which represents $194,053 added value to the City.

Service/Programs and Volunteer Opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities and programs within the Logan Parks and Recreation Department:

Willow Park Zoo: General Zoo work assisting in animal care, clean up, building and grounds cleaning and maintenance. The number of volunteers is based on current numbers and needs.

Education and Programs: This is limited, and determined on an as-needed basis by the Education Coordinator

Story Time Volunteers: Volunteers are enlisted each season and can volunteer to read one time or multiple times during the story time season.

Special Event Volunteers: Special Event Volunteers are used to help run activities such as “What’s New at the Zoo”, “Boo at the Zoo”, and other fundraising events.

Youth Sports: Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Team Reps for Junior Jazz, Tee-ball, Coaches Pitch, Girls Fast Pitch, Tackle Football, Tackle Football Camp, Pony Baseball, Flag Football, Youth Co-Rec Indoor Soccer, Logan Fliers, Hershey’s Track, MLB Pitch, Hit, and Skills Competition.

Golf Course Hosts: The course host is a volunteer position. The host is given golf privileges for his or her volunteer hours. The host is responsible for the pace of play as well as all customer service related issues and problems. These responsibilities include, sand and seed replacement, water jug filling and replacement, ball mark repair and divot replacement and divot filling. The course host is also responsible for making sure that all rules and regulations are followed.

After School Club: Volunteers for the After School Club assist Site Coordinators in working directly with children. Volunteers must pass a background check and are provided with the appropriate instruction and training necessary.

Large Volunteer Groups: Large groups seeking a one-time project are not required to go through the background check process. Persons must be 18 years of age. They must work under direct supervision of a specific staff member at all times. No volunteers will be allowed to operate any power machinery or power equipment / vehicles.

Individual Volunteers: Projects in parks or the City Cemetery may from time to time accommodate individual projects such as Eagle Scout projects, Girl Scout Projects, or special event assistance.

Advisory Boards : Members of the Advisory Board are appointed by the Mayor and serve for the term as described in the board by-laws. Generally, these are 3 year terms.

Interns: The City of Logan Parks and Recreation Department periodically utilizes college interns to assist Department staff with, programs, or services. The need for assistance will vary depending on the needs and available staff to work with interns. The supervision for interns is provided by the division in the Department where the intern will serve. Each supervisor is responsible for following the established policies and procedures currently in the Department to orient the intern to the nature of the project or program and throughout the course of the project or program, including evaluation of the service

Promoting Volunteerism

Volunteers are solicited by the following methods:

The Department’s bi-annual Leisure Guide listing all programs and facilities promotes volunteer opportunities.
Recruitment for volunteer coaches for youth sports begins at the time of registration.
Volunteer Interest Forms are available at the Logan Community Recreation Center.
The Logan Community Recreation Center posts signage to recruit volunteers on-site.
Word of mouth from other volunteers who have had a positive experience.

Process for Becoming a Volunteer

The process for becoming a volunteer occurs in two ways: opportunities initiated by the Department and inquiries generated by individuals or organizations. Volunteers accepted by the Department must complete the following procedures prior to performing volunteer service for the Department.

Prospective Volunteers are directed to the appropriate Program/Project Supervisor to begin the volunteer process.
For youth volunteer sports, recruitment begins at the time of registration. Volunteers indicate on registration form if they are interested in volunteering as head coach, assistant coach, or team player.
For After School Club, prospective volunteers are referred to the Community Youth Coordinator where they will be interviewed and then selected to placement in elementary schools as needed.
Golf Course Hosts are referred to the Golf Professional.
Zoo Volunteers are referred to the Zoo Superintendent.
A Consent, Authorization, and Release for the Procurement of a consumer and/or Investigative Report to a Third Party Form (Background Check Form) must be completed by all prospective volunteers.
Upon receipt of a cleared background check (required for all volunteers other than those volunteering for a one-time event) the Program/Project Supervisor will contact the prospective volunteer to schedule the required training.
All volunteer service for the Department shall include completion of the required forms for the purpose of ensuring volunteer safety and reducing risk to the Department and the City.
No volunteer will be allowed to operate mechanized equipment of any kind for the benefit of the Department.
Coaches receive a list of program rules, code of conduct, and expectations of the program.
After School Club volunteers are instructed on goals and objectives of the program.
The number of zoo volunteers will be determined by the zoo staff based on their program needs. All zoo volunteers must be thoroughly trained in all duties and situations they may encounter. Volunteers will not be allowed into areas containing potentially dangerous animals.
A volunteer agrees to serve without monetary compensation for their donated time.
Volunteers are not eligible for City employee benefits.

The City of Logan Parks and Recreation Volunteer Handbook provides an outline for volunteer standards, volunteer guide, and a volunteer training checklist. An After School Club Volunteers Checklist provides additional information for volunteers working with the After School Club Program.

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Volunteers for Many Reasons

People volunteer for many reasons. They volunteer for experience, internship, resume building, to provide learning experiences for youth, or just to perform service.

Number of Volunteers and Hours during the Past Year:

Area	Number of Volunteers	Number of Volunteer Hours
Administration	7 Volunteers	193 Volunteer Hours
Cemetery	300 Volunteers	600 Volunteer Hours
Logan River Golf Course	25 Volunteers	1,665 Volunteer Hours
Parks and Trails	15 Volunteers	170 Volunteer Hours
Sports and Recreation	Youth Sports: 958 Volunteers After School Club: 625 Volunteers	Youth Sports: 20,000 Hours After School Club: 1,875 Hours
Willow Park Zoo	54 Volunteers	320 Volunteer Hours
Totals	1,984 Volunteers	24,823 Hours

Volunteer Recognition

Volunteers offer their time and enthusiasm to assist the City of Logan Parks and Recreation Department without expectation of monetary benefit. Thus, officially recognizing the volunteer is very important. This is done in a variety of ways:

All volunteers receive a Volunteer Pass good for one free admission to the Logan Aquatic Center, which allows the volunteer to enjoy the facility at his or her convenience.
Mayor-appointed, citizen advisory boards are recognized at Department gatherings.
Signage is posted in the lobby of the Logan Community Recreation Center expressing appreciation for all volunteers.
The Leisure Guide designates space to publicly thank all volunteers for their service. The bi-annual guide is distributed to approximately 26,000 homes.

Volunteer Costs

Costs associated with a volunteer will vary according to what the volunteer assignment is. Costs for an After School Club volunteer or a Youth Sport Coach require a background check. Background check fees range from $28 to $46 depending on the where the prospective volunteer lives. Background check fees for the Department average about $2,500 per year. Costs associated with processing, training, and supervising a volunteer is part of the Logan Parks and Recreation overall budget.

Large group projects do not require volunteers to complete a background check so the only costs associated with the project would be wages for the supervisor to round up materials if needed and material expenses.

Volunteer background checks are important and help to ensure a safe environment.

For volunteers serving on Mayor-appointed boards a resume or personal vitae generally accompanies the appointment to serve.

Volunteerism is Invaluable

Volunteerism in Logan Parks and Recreation is invaluable. Mayor-appointed citizen boards, programs, and special events simply could not happen without volunteers. Volunteers gain a greater sense of self-worth, community pride, and an opportunity to enhance quality of life through selfless service.

We believe the substance that binds us together as a community is due to the volunteer spirit of the people of Cache Valley.

The Logan Parks and Recreation Department would like to thank all who have volunteered and donated time to make our community a better place.

If you would like more information or are interested in becoming a volunteer for the City of Logan Parks and Recreation Department stop by the Logan Community Recreation Department at 195 South 100 West or call (435) 716-9250.

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Volunteers Are Fundamental

Service/Programs and Volunteer Opportunities