Palatine Park District | Volunteer Voice Newletter (Summer 2017)

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VOLUNTEERVOICE

SUMMER 2017 • PALATINE PARK DISTRICT

Gratefully acknowledging the many individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference in our community.

IN THE NEWS

The Jaycees Help Palatine Park District Beautify Cedar Park Our affiliate volunteers, the Palatine Jaycees (as part of their yearlong 60th anniversary celebration) partnered with us to help beautify Cedar Park.

In a Daily Herald article from June 5, 2017, project co-chair Traci Hinshaw said, “Giving back to our great community has always been a huge part of the Palatine Jaycees. It made sense to partner with the park district to find a project that would allow us to not only make a donation, but to give our time.”

We are thankful to the Jaycees for donating the funds to supply the native plants and for their assistance in planting them along the creek bank. A commemorative 60th anniversary plaque will be added to Cedar Park later this year.

Meet Our Summer Clerical Volunteers Kylie Zhang “As an incoming Sophomore to William Fremd High School, I’m currently attending summer school to complete my health requirement. When I’m not at school or procrastinating on my homework, you can probably find me biking around the neighborhood with my friends, watching TV, or on my iPad. I took up volunteering initially to fulfill my graduation requirement, but I’ve since come to realize that volunteering is more than just something nice to put on college applications; it’s a small act (such as giving a couple hours a week) that goes a long way to help others.”

Yash Chandnani “My name is Yash Chandnani and I am a Sophomore at Fremd High School. Some of my hobbies are fishing, dirt biking, and playing basketball. After I graduate high school I would like to attend The University of Illinois to become an engineer!”

Source: The Daily Herald, dailyherald.com, 6/5/17

Summer’s Volunteer Highlights It has been a busy summer of service for Palatine Park District’s Volunteer Program!

This is just a sample of all of the wonderful work done in our community at the following events: Big Trucks, Head to the Hills Golf Fest, Story Time with Sammy, Family Day at Arlington Park - Northwestern Day, Friday Family Picnic Series, Bike Palatine’s Bicycle Safety Rodeo, Family Day at Arlington Park - Little Comicon Day, Hometown Fest Parade, and Canine Carnival.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED! “Whether you’re an annual or perennial in our volunteer program, we appreciate the time, talents, and energy you provide.”

– Alissa DePue, Volunteer Coordinator

Alissa DePue • Volunteer Coordinator Email: adepue@palatineparks.org Phone: 847.496.6212

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Feet Fest, August 27 Street Fest, August 27

New Volunteer Stewardship Program is Underway We are pleased to announce our new volunteer stewardship program which pairs Little City Countryside (LCC) Center and Palatine Hills Golf Course.

Oktoberfest, September 16 Public Lands Day, September 24 Fall Festival, October 14

Sign up online today!

Halloween Party, October 28 Turkey Trot, November 23

Volunteering by the Numbers in America

$24.14 63 Million

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

per hour

Value of volunteer time.

Number of people who volunteer yearly.

8 Billion

After receiving a request from Robert Madsen, Employee Development Services (EDS) Coordinator at Little City Countryside, for volunteer opportunities that teach job skills, Volunteer Coordinator Alissa DePue collaborated with Head Golf Professional Dan Hotchkin to develop a program that allows volunteer stewards to learn job skills as they work alongside golf course professionals.

“Volunteer opportunities help people develop social skills, work skills, life skills, and make friends. At Palatine Park District we recognized that we can strengthen our community by providing volunteer opportunities which foster these essential skills,” Alissa DePue stated.

The volunteer stewards provide a number of services for Palatine Hills Golf Course, including washing golf carts. “I think it’s great that Palatine Park District teamed up with Little City Countryside Center to provide this opportunity for adults in the EDS program to learn valuable real life work experience while volunteering at Palatine Hills Golf Course. I would like to thank Alissa and Dan for taking the time and allowing the EDS program to have this opportunity to work with the Park District,” Robert Madsen said.

Dan Hotchkin stated, “Palatine Hills Golf Course is here to serve the entire community. We are happy to serve Little City Countryside in this way. Our Cart/Range Attendant, Ken Smith, does a great job as the program’s participants assist him.”

The LCC PHGC Volunteer Stewardship Program will run annually at Palatine Hills Golf Course. In the off season, the Park District will provide other areas where the stewards can be of service.

Hours of volunteer service given annually.

$193

Billion

Annual value of volunteer service.

Number of volunteers it takes to make a difference:

1

Source: The Independent Sector

From left to right: Robert Madsen, Kerri M., Thomas D., Dan Hotchkin, Ken Smith, and Alissa DePue

STUDENT SECTION

Volunteer Skills Translate to Job Skills Not only does volunteering with Palatine Park District look impressive on college and scholarship applications, it can also help you land your first job!

Build your skillset and resume with us!

Below are 20 skills you learn when volunteering that will help you get your first job and be successful in that position.

1. Timeliness – Volunteer projects start on time. Same thing in the workplace, with even more at stake!

2. Ability to work with a variety of managers – Some team leaders run projects a bit differently than others and have different managing styles. You’ll find that you need to be comfortable working under a variety of management styles.

3. Time management – You may receive a number of tasks and need to figure out how to accomplish those tasks within the project timeframe.

8. Ability to work with diverse groups of people – Did you meet people from another part of town or with different interests than you? Acknowledging and understanding others is a valuable life skill.

9. Work ethic – You knew this would be part of this list, right? If you can spend an afternoon spreading bark mulch on a hot day, that shows a lot about your dedication and work ethic!

4. Leadership – Did you ever rise above and help lead a group during a project? What about showing other volunteers how to do a certain part of a task? Those are your leadership skills at work!

5. Communicating with people of all ages – While volunteering for Palatine Park District, you work with children, teens, adults, and seniors alike.

We hope this has made you more comfortable communicating with people of all ages.

6. Professionalism – When you serve, you represent Palatine Park District to the community, requiring you to be professional and courteous.

7. Teamwork – Every project involves working with others, so after a few Palatine Park District projects, you’ll have enhanced your teamwork and collaboration skills.

Source: Youth Volunteer Corp.

13. Teachability – Did you learn a new skill on a project? Someone taught you this skill and you were receptive to what they were telling you, an important ability in the workforce.

14. Organization – All kinds of Palatine Park District projects require organization, a skill you will need to be successful in the workforce.

15. Following instructions – At the beginning of a service project, your team leader will give you instructions on your responsibilities. Staying on track and following their guidance is key.

16. Flexibility – Not everything goes as planned during some Palatine Park District volunteer assignments. It’s important to adapt and be prepared for whatever may come your way.

10. Customer service – Every time you’re in a situation when you interact with our patrons, you’re representing us and collecting great customer service experience.

11. Confidence – Did you have to step outside your comfort zone on a project? It might have been scary at the time, but in the process you became more confident.

12. Public relations – Have you ever explained to anyone what the Park District is and what services we provide? You were representing Palatine Park District by being a public relations representative!

17. Problem solving – Sometimes it seems like there’s no way to accomplish a project from start to finish. Then, you’ll think it over, talk with your team and collaborate to tackle the project. Before you know it, you’re done.

18. Planning – Not only did you plan ahead when signing up for your assignment, but you also probably planned your tasks for the day to ensure the project was successful.

19. Creativity – Palatine Park District offers opportunities to think creatively—remember the last time you helped a kid with an art project?

20. Training – Did you teach anyone how to do certain aspects of a volunteer role? You were providing them training on the task, just like you might one day train another employee.

Volunteer Voice is a publication of Palatine Park District, 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine, IL, 847.991.0333, palatineparks.org.

Would you like to submit a comment, question or suggest an article to the editor? Contact Alissa DePue at adepue@palatineparks.org or 847.496.6212. For more information about the volunteer program, or to sign up, visit palatineparks.org/rccms/volunteer.