Volunteer Services Program
Thank You
VolunteersanddonorsarecrucialtotheRaleighParks,RecreationandCulturalResourcesDepartment’smissionand wecouldnothavehadsuchawonderfulyearwithoutyourdedicationtoourparksandgreenways.Wewanttoshare oursincerethanksfromeveryonehereatRaleighParks.Whetheryoudonatedtime,talents,resources,orallthree, youdirectlyimpactedthecommunity.
ThisannualreportisonewaytoshowtheimpacttheVolunteerServicesProgramandourvolunteershaveacross Raleigh
Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department’s Mission and Vision
RaleighParks,RecreationandCulturalResources Department’smissionis, “Togetherweconnectandenrichour communitythroughexceptionalexperiences.”Ourvisionstatementis,“Bringingpeopletoparksandparksto people.”
Bypartneringwithvolunteers,RaleighParksexpandsitsresources,developspositivecommunityrelationships,and providesagreatplaceforourcommunitytoliveandplay.
Why Do We Connect Our Community Through Volunteerism?
Connectingthecommunitytovolunteeropportunitiesprovidesagatewaytoformingmeaningfulpartnershipswith thoseRaleighParksserves.Volunteersdirectlyenhancetheircommunitiesthroughprovidingexceptional experiencessuchascoachingyouthathleticleagues,instructingrecreationalclasses,supportingevents,andeven supportingtheenvironmentalhealthofRaleighthroughourparkenhancementandstewardshipopportunities.
Thesemeaningfulexperiencesforthevolunteer,programparticipants,staff,andourdepartmentcultivateaculture ofconnectednesstoone’scommunity.Eachexperiencehastheabilitytobuildinvestmentinourparksandtrails whilecarryingphysicalandmentalhealthbenefitsforallinvolved.
VolunteersaremorethanaresourcetoRaleighParks.Theyaredirectlyconnectedtotheaccomplishmentofthe missionandtheexperiencesofthecommunityatlarge.
Volunteer Services Program FY 24 Accomplishments
ThisyearmarkedanotherexceptionalyearofvolunteerismwiththeRaleighParks,RecreationandCultural ResourcesDepartment.TheVolunteerServicesProgramsawgrowthfromourcommunitydonatingtheirtime, talentsandresources.Thisyearwecelebratedsomegreatsuccessesinpartnershipwithourvolunteersand colleagues.Hereareafewkeyhighlights:
• Volunteer Participation: Justover12,500volunteersassistedwithparkenhancementprojects,youth athleticleagues,events,andmuchmore.Thisbringsusclosertoourpre-COVID-19averageof13,000 volunteersayear Theprogramhasseencontinuedrecoverypost-COVID.Volunteersservedapproximately 64,000hours,whichisbeingvaluedatover$2millionbasedontheIndependentSectorsValueofVolunteer Service.
• CERVIS Volunteer Management Software: TheVolunteerServicesProgram(VSP)hasbeenutilizing CERVISfor12yearsbutpreviouslyjustforrecruitment.OverthelasttwoyearstheVSPteamworkedto transitiontheentiredepartmentintoutilizingCERVISfornotonlyrecruitment,butalsoforloggingimpact andasasingular,department-widedatabase.Thistransitionhasallowedustocollectsomeinteresting impactdatathisyear.Forexample,wehadover400littercleanupsreportedtousforatotalofroughly 48,000lbs oflitter! Volunteers, be sure to report your impact so we can continue to tell your story!
• Website Updates: TheexpandedutilizationoftheCERVISsoftwarehasalsoallowedustomakenumerous improvementstoourwebsitesuchasembeddingourCERVISpostingsdirectlyintoit.Thenumberof opportunitiescanbeoverwhelmingtomanageorsiftthrough,buttherearenowiconstoshowtherequired participantageandfilteroptionsatthetoptosortthroughtheopportunities.Thereisevenacalendarview toshowwhatisavailableonaspecificdate.
• Summer Youth Programs: TheVolunteerServicesProgramcontinuedtheirpartnershipwithConservation CorpsNCfortheDixParkYouthConservationCorps.Thispartnershipprovidescareerandeducational experienceinthefieldofconservationtolocalteens.TheVolunteerServicesProgramalsopartneredwith twoRaleighParkssummercamps(TeenCorpsCampandTeensBehindtheSceneswithParksandFacilities). Thesecampsofferedopportunitiesforteenstogetservicehoursforschoolaswellasprovidedan introductiontopossiblecareersrelatedtoparkmaintenanceandnaturalresources.Learnmoreonpage14.
• Volunteer Agreement Update: Thisyear,theVolunteerServicesProgramcreatedabrand-newvolunteer agreementthatwillbeusedmovingforward.Thisnewagreementallowsstafftocustomizeeverythingfrom jobdutiestothefrequencyofvolunteering,inordertocorrectlyrepresenteachspecificopportunityor partnership.Thisupdatedagreementhasremovedoutdatedverbiagethatnolongerappliedtothemajority ofouropportunitiesandpartners.Wewillstarttransitioningcurrentagreementstothisnewoneasthey comeupforrenewal.Weareexcitedtobetterrepresentourpartnershipsmovingforward.
Overall Volunteer Impacts to the Department
The “Big Three” Metrics
The“BigThree”metricsarethestandardsbywhichmost volunteerprogramsshowcasethetotalimpacttheir volunteersmake.The“BigThree”metricshelpquantifydata butdonotalwaysreflecthard-to-quantifyimpactssuchas thesenseofcommunityvolunteersoftenbuild
• 12,598* Volunteers
• 64,049 Hours Served
• $2,004,744.70 Value of Service
* Thisnumberdoesnotdistinguishbetweenindividual volunteersandthosewhovolunteeredmultipletimes.
Volunteer Experience Survey Data
Thisdatawascollectedthroughasurveythatisemailedto allvolunteersthatattendoneofourvolunteer opportunities.
• 199 Responses
• 4.75outof5 Exceptional Experience Rating
• 97%ofrespondents Would Volunteer Again
• 53%ofrespondentswere First Time Volunteers
• 46%ofrespondents Found a New Park/Trail
“OuroldestsonandIvolunteeredforTheGreatMLKDay FamilyStiltgrassPullattheWalnutCreekWetlandPark. Everythingaboutourvolunteerexperience was exceptional! Fromonlineregistration,topre-eventcommunication,tothe eventitself,everythingwassowellorganized.Ourevent manager,Celia,wasoutstanding!Shewassoenthusiastic, friendly,andpositive,whichmadetheexperiencewonderful. SheeducatedusonthehistoryofWalnutCreekWetlandPark, abouttheJapaneseStiltgrass,andtheoverallproject.”
- Volunteer testimonial submitted via the survey
Figure 1: Volunteers in the City Greenhouse
Why Does Our Community Volunteer with Raleigh Parks?
Thefollowingdataisbasedoffofthe199responsestoourVolunteerExperienceSurveyforfiscalyear2024 Those takingthesurveycouldselectmultipleanswersforthesequestions.
Top Three Favorite Aspects of Volunteering with Raleigh Parks
Top Three Least Favorite Aspects of Volunteering with Raleigh Parks
“Other”includedresponsessuchasweather,workintensity, andjobortaskthevolunteerwasassigned.
Figure 2: Volunteers at the Barwell Road Community Garden build event
Where Are Volunteers Serving?
Park Maintenance District Location Key
Thefollowingchartsshowdifferentdatasetsandassignthemtoaparkmaintenancedistrictasalocationidentifierto helpshowwhereourvolunteersserveacrossRaleigh Weutilizethesedistrictstocategorizelocationbecausethey includeun-staffedparksandtrailsaswellasourstaffedcenters.Belowisakeyofwherethesedistrictsare.
• District 1 -SouthwestRaleigh
• District 2 -SoutheastRaleigh
• District 3 -NorthRaleigh
• District 4 -CentraltoNorthwestRaleigh
• District 5 -DowntownRaleigh
• District 6 -NortheastRaleigh
• Destination Parks (DPC) -JohnChavisPark,PullenPark,DorotheaDixPark,andtheRoseGarden
• Cemeteries -CityCemetery,Mt.HopeCemetery,andO’RorkeCatholicCemetery
• Greenway -All120milesofgreenwaytrailsmaintainedbytheCityofRaleigh
• Various -TheseareprogramssuchasCity-wideathleticleaguesthataretrackedasawholeinstead ofataspecificlocation. All Volunteer Involvement Located By
Park Maintenance District
Thischartshowsthetotalnumberofvolunteersandhoursservedineachparkmaintenancedistrict.Thisdata includesvolunteeropportunitiesfromeachdivisionwithinRaleighParks.
Total Number of Volunteers by Division in Each Park Maintenance District
ThischartshowsthenumberofvolunteersservingacrossRaleighandwhichdivisionanddistrictofRaleighParks theyserved.
Hours Served by Raleigh Parks Division in Each Park Maintenance District
ThischartshowsthehoursvolunteersservedacrossRaleighandinwhatdivisionanddistricttheyserved.
Volunteer Impact By Division
Parks and Natural Resources Division
Overall Metrics
Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour ParksandNaturalResourcesDivision Thesevolunteers helpwitheverythingfromsingle-timeparkenhancement projectstoourongoingopportunitiessuchas Adopt-A-Park/Trail,andGardenPrograms.
• 6,385 Volunteers
• 15,324 Hours of Service
• $479,641 Value of Service
Division Volunteer Opportunities
Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservingin someofthefollowingcapacities:
• Adopt-A-ParkProgram
• Adopt-A-TrailProgram
• GardenPrograms
• Greenhouseopportunities
• Invasiveplantremovals
• NestWatch
• Scoutingprojectawards
• Single-timeparkenhancementprojects
• Single-timeparkstewardshipprojects
“Theeventwasverywellorganized.Staffseemedtoreally careabouttheimpactoftheworkandthevolunteers’ experience.”
- Volunteer testimonial submitted via the survey
Figure 3: A volunteer removing invasive plants
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Recreation Division
Overall Metrics
Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour RecreationDivision.Thesevolunteershelpwitheverything fromathleticleaguecoachingtoevents.
• 3,845 Volunteers
• 29,334 Hours of Service
• $918,154 Value of Service
Division Volunteer Opportunities
Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservingin someofthefollowingcapacities:
• AdultProgramliasons
• Aquaticswimmeets
• Athleticleaguecoaches
• CommunityCenterevents
• EnglishasaSecondLanguageinstructors
• Instructors/programassistants
• SpecializedRecreationProgram
“Itwasaspecialnight!Ireallyenjoyedtheexperienceand appreciatethethoughtthatgoesintocheckinginwithand supportingthevolunteers.”
- Volunteer testimonial submitted via the survey.
Figure 4: A Youth Athletic League Coach and player
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Resources Division
Overall Metrics
Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour ResourcesDivision.Thesevolunteersparticipatein opportunitiesfocusedonourhistoricandculturalsitesand artsprogramsaswellasDixParkevents
• 2,244 Volunteers
• 18,340 Hours of Service
• $574,042 Value of Service
Division Volunteer Opportunities
Thedataabovereflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservingin someofthefollowingcapacities:
• Artprograms
• BoardsandCommissions
• CityMuseumCollections
• Docents
• DorotheaDixParkevents
• Events
• FriendsofCityofRaleighMuseum
• HolidayExpress
• Instructors/programassisstants
“Itwasamazing!Notonlywerethestaffincrediblykindand easytogetalongwith,theactivitiesthatPullencameup withforthechildren(attheartsfair)wasgenius.Myfriend andIhadalotoffun.Iwoulddoitagain.”
- Volunteer testimonial submitted via the survey.
Figure 5: A Holiday Express volunteer leading the hot chocolate activity
Business Process Management Division
Overall Metrics
Thisdatareflectstheeffortsofvolunteersservinginour BusinessProcessManagementDivision.Thesevolunteers arepartofourNCStateWorkStudyProgram
• 21 Volunteers
• 1,059.5 Hours of Service
• $33,162 Value of Service
Division Volunteer Opportunities
TheNCSUWorkStudyProgramplacesstudentsinvarious programareasacrossthedepartmenttogaincareerskills andworkexperience.
Theseundergraduatestudentsengageinalldivisionsofthe departmentfocusingprimarilyoncommunitybuilding programs. Theirinvolvementnotonlyenhancestheir educationalexperiencebutalsofostersasenseof connectionandcollaborationtothecommunity.
NCSUfundstheirworkandRaleighParks,Recreationand CulturalResourcesDepartmentbenefitsfrombeingableto expandourworkforceandsharereallifejobskillswithlocal students.
Figure 6: Campers at the NCSU Belltower
Volunteer Services Program Summer Youth Initiatives
Teen Camps
Thissummer,theVolunteerServicesProgrampartneredwiththeRecreationDivisiontocoordinatelearningand volunteeringopportunitiesfortwosummercamps.
Teen Corps Camp ismanagedbytheRaleighParksTeenProgramandisacampthatcoordinatesopportunitiesfor teenstoacquirecommunityservicehoursforschool. Thisyearoneoftheiropportunitieswastovolunteerwith ParksandNaturalResourcestodoeverythingfromlittercleanupstovolunteeringinthegreenhouse.
Teens Behind the Scenes with Parks and Facilities isacampmanagedbytheRalphCampbellCommunityCenter andisfocusedonprovidinghands-onexperiencestolearnaboutdifferentcareersinParkMaintenanceandNatural Resources.TheVolunteerServicesteamhelpedconnectthiscamptodifferentexpertsintheirfieldandcoordinated someofthehandsonlearningopportunities.
We want to send a huge THANK YOU to our Recreation colleagues for letting us in on the fun!
Figure 7: Campers learning about athletic field maintenance from staff
Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) Dix Park Youth Conservation Corps
ThissummermarkedthestartofthefourthCCNCDixParkYouthConservationCorp. Thiscrewofsixteensandtwo young-adultcrewleadersspentsixweeksworkingonconservationandparkmaintenanceprojectsatDixPark.
Project Examples: Thiscrewcontributed 1,920 hours ofservicetothedepartmentandcompletedawidevarietyof projectssuchasbuilding 6 swingpads,spreading 750 bails worthofpinestraw,removing 1,200 lbs.oflitter, pruning 53 trees,removinginvasiveplantspeciesin 6 acres ofland,maintaining .25 miles oftrail,andinstalling 75 yards oftemporaryfencing.
Education Sessions: Thisyear,thecrewlearnedaboutPoliticalScienceandSoil,ParkMaintenanceandEvent Preparation,FederalandLocalGovernmentCareerJourney,CityofRaleighGreenhouseOperations,ParkPlanning, TheDixParkConservancyandaParkforAll,Raleigh’sWatershed,InvasivePlantSpecies,andJobReadiness.
Financial Support - ConservationCorpsNorthCarolina,DixParkConservancy,WoodsonFamilyFoundation,and NorthCarolina’sElectricCooperatives.
Programatic Support –CityofRaleighCemeteryCrew,GreenhouseStaff,DestinationParksCrew,Heavy ConstructionCrew,InvasiveProgramCrew,Marketing,Planning,WalnutCreekWetlandParkStaff,DixParkStaff, RaleighStormwater,andtheDixParkConservancy.
Figure 8: A CCNC Dix Park Youth Conservation Corps member learning how to work with concrete
2024 Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards
TheFredFletcherOutstandingVolunteerAwardsareheldeachMaytorecognizevolunteersfortheirhardwork. NominationsareopentostaffandthepublicandarevotedonbytheParksRecreationandGreenwayAdvisory Board’sFredFletcherVolunteerCommittee
2024 Fred Fletcher Outstadning Volunteer Award Recipients
Award
Harvey Karsevar Award
Outstanding Athletic Volunteer
Outstanding Financial Contributor
Outstanding Greenway Volunteer
Outstanding Adopt-A-Park Volunteer
Outstanding Adult Program Volunteer
Outstanding Specialized Recreation Program Volunteer
Outstanding Volunteer Group
Outstanding Project Volunteer
Outstanding Park Volunteer
Outstanding Program Volunteer
Outstanding Teen Volunteer
Outstanding Cultural Resources Volunteer
Award of Excellence
Recipient
KyleBever
Kira“CoachK”Hardy
TheJohnWallFamilyFoundation
TheGreatRaleighCleanup
SteveMcDonald
KathyCausby
SeanToomey
FriendsofLakeJohnson
Accenture
KateDixon
MyraBradleyandWomenThatCare,Inc.
DavidLmartiniere
LondonEvans
HeavenNemeth
JermaineJohnson
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Donations
TheVolunteerServicesProgrammanagestwodonation programsandassistswithcoordinatinglarge-scaleprojects withcommunityengagementaspects.
Donor/Memorial Bench Program
Thisprogramoffersindividualsorgroupstheopportunityto donateparkbenchesinhonorormemoryofsomeone.They workwithParkMaintenancestafftoconfirmthelocation.
• 21 Benches Donated
• $14,700 Donated
General Park Enhancement Fund
ThisGeneralParkEnhancementFundallowsfordonations tobemadetowardsitemsforparkenhancementprojects suchaslandscapematerial,plants,andotheritems.All projects/donationsmustbeapprovedandfollowourPark MaintenanceStandardsandMasterPlans.
• 7 Donations
• $5,692.41 Total Value of all Donations
• $2,787.57 Value of In-kind Donations
Largescale Project Highlight
Project EverGreen
Inthespringof2024CityofRaleighParkspartneredwith ProjectEverGreentoredolandscapingatSanderfordRoad Park.ProjectEverGreencoordinateddonorsandlandscape professionalswhovolunteeredtheirtime,talentsand resourcestowardstheproject.
• Over1,000 Plants Installed
• 6 B&B Trees Planted
• $30,000 Estimated Project Value
• $20,000 Estimated Value of Volunteer Time
• Partners and Donors: ProjectEverGreen,Ruppert
Landscape,ProfessionalGroundsManagementSociety,andNCStateUniversity
Figure 9: Project EverGreen volunteers planting at Sanderford Road