# Presentation: 864539

## Volunteers-In-Parks Program

**Volunteers-In-Parks Program**

**Notes:**
This is a brief overview of the National Park Service’s Volunteers-In-Parks program.

## Director Mainella’s VIP Vision

**Director Mainella’s VIP Vision**

- The Volunteers-In-Parks program is a high priority for Director Mainella. She wants to strengthen an already popular program by conducting an overall program evaluation and improving record-keeping servicewide for program efficiency and VIP recognition.

**Notes:**
National Park Service Director Fran Mainella is an advocate for volunteerism. She strongly supports the VIP program and has helped advance the program.

## Slide 3

## VIP Program Goals

**VIP Program Goals**

- The national office is working to enhance and expand the VIP program throughout the Service. Our national goals are to:

## VIP Program Goals

**VIP Program Goals**

- Conduct a Servicewide VIP Program Evaluation to determine strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement at the national, regional, and local levels.

**Notes:**
The NPS will be conducting a servicewide program evaluation this fiscal year.

## VIP Program Goals

**VIP Program Goals**

- Continue the Take Pride in America NPS Park Steward Event Program
- The Park Steward Event program is an incentive program for parks to compete for funds to host special volunteer events throughout the year.
- 50 parks received grants in FY2004 and approximately 3000 volunteers participated servicewide.

**Notes:**
The NPS plans to offer this opportunity again. It was successful in 2004 and provided sporadic volunteer events.

## VIP Program Goals

**VIP Program Goals**

- Update and promote the national VIP Program Management Training package
- Ensure that all volunteer coordinators receive appropriate training and are certified in volunteer management.

**Notes:**
The NPS volunteer program management training has been updated and courses continue to be offered. These courses are often open to others outside the agency. State park coordinators have participated in past sessions. A group is currently poised to develop the NPS Volunteer Manager certification.

## VIP Program Goals

**VIP Program Goals**

- Enhance the visibility of the VIP program to improve recruitment.
- Expand the existing web-based report system and servicewide VIP database
- Update, print, and distribute the VIP brochure
- Create, print, and distribute a VIP Service Log
- Create, print, and distribute a VIP Recruitment Poster

## Slide 9

## VIP Program Categories and Supplies

**VIP Program Categories and Supplies**

## Volunteers-In-Parks

**Volunteers-In-Parks**

- any individual or group that operates under a signed VIP agreement.

**Notes:**
All NPS volunteers have a signed volunteer agreement and are considered Federal employees in the case of tort claims or worker’s compensation.

## Volunteers-In-Parks

**Volunteers-In-Parks**

- Additional VIP supplies including patches, certificates, stickers, and lapel pins are available from your regional office or the Washington office.

**Notes:**
This is the new VIP patch and Take Pride rocker.

## Master Volunteer Ranger

**Master Volunteer Ranger**

- an elite cadre of VIPs who have made a formal commitment to volunteer at least 500 hours per year or any volunteer who has expertise in areas of particular interest to the NPS such as archeology, geology, education, natural science, cultural science, preservation, hydrology, etc.

**Notes:**
Additional volunteer categories have been added to the program to recognize the various levels of contribution of time and talents. These levels are also recognizable to the public through insignia.

## Master Volunteer Ranger

**Master Volunteer Ranger**

## Presidential Volunteer Ranger

**Presidential Volunteer Ranger**

- any volunteer who contributes at least 4000 hours of cumulative service to the NPS. Recognition includes a patch, pin, and  certificate from the USA Freedom Corps.

## Presidential Volunteer Ranger

**Presidential Volunteer Ranger**

- Proposed Patch

**Notes:**
This is the proposed patch to recognize Presidential Rangers.

## Slide 17

## VIP Report System and Database

- A web-based report system collects and organizes volunteer program data and provides a more accurate record-keeping system. Volunteer Program Managers servicewide can monitor their local programs as well as the national program.

**VIP Report System and Database**

**Notes:**
This web-based report system has been used for 2 years for reporting purposes only. It is not yet being used to full capacity as privacy act issues are being addressed for the database portion. Eventually, this system will track NPS volunteers’ hours and accomplishments so that they are recognized for their contributions throughout their volunteer “careers.” It is the hope of the NPS that there may be an interagency or interdepartmental system in the near future that would help each organization keep track of those who volunteer across agency lines. 

## VIP Program Costs

**VIP Program Costs**

- VIP funds are allocated to the regional offices and other program areas for distribution. For FY06, the public investment in the VIP program is approx. $1.85 million.

**Notes:**
The National Park Service has a line item with Congress for volunteer funds. These funds are only to be used in support of the volunteer program. Other appropriated funds may be used to support the volunteer program as well.

## FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Costs by Category

**FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Costs by Category**

**Notes:**
The NPS breaks down costs and hours by category for reporting purposes.

## FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Hours by Category

**FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Hours by Category**
**Total: 5.2 million hours**

## FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Statistics

**FY2005 Reported Volunteers-In-Parks Program Statistics**

**Notes:**
There was a 14% increase in volunteers over 2003 and an 11% increase in hours. The total value comes from an outside source called the Independent Sector. This value includes approximately 12% benefits. It is the average hourly wage of non-agricultural workers in the U.S.

## Slide 23

## Slide 24

**Notes:**
Volunteer.gov/gov is the official portal for volunteer opportunities/events on public lands. All land management agencies post their jobs here. The website is undergoing an update and will be unveiled...

## Park Profile Pages http://www.nps.gov/parks.html

**Park Profile Pages **http://www.nps.gov/parks.html

**Notes:**
The NPS will also list their respective volunteer opportunities on nps.gov. Visitors to the site will be able to find NPS specific opportunities and then apply for them through volunteer.gov/gov. These sites are all interconnected with the goal of providing the fastest and easiest way for people to find and apply for volunteer jobs.

## New VIP Profile Pagehttp://data2.itc.nps.gov/vips/volunteer.cfm?id=abli

**New VIP Profile Page**http://data2.itc.nps.gov/vips/volunteer.cfm?id=abli

**Notes:**
This is a sample of the volunteer profile page which will feature information about each park’s volunteer program and any opportunities currently available. These opportunities will be pulled over from the volunteer.gov/gov database and will be updated in real time. All administration of opportunities and events posted continues to go through volunteer.gov/gov.

## New VIP Opportunities Pagehttp://data2.itc.nps.gov/vips/opportunities.cfm

**New VIP Opportunities Page**http://data2.itc.nps.gov/vips/opportunities.cfm

## VIP Program Current Issues and Activities

**VIP Program Current Issues and Activities**

## VIP Program Current Issues and Activities

**VIP Program Current Issues and Activities**

-  Volunteer Program Assessment
-  HSPD-12 (Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12)
-  America the Beautiful Pass

## VIP Program Assessment

**VIP Program Assessment**

-  Internal survey of NPS paid staff complete
-  Data summary of internal survey underway
-  Awaiting OMB approval for external survey of VIPs
-  Process to be completed by Summer 2006

## HSPD-12

**HSPD-12**
**Who Needs a Card?**
*If the answer is no, go to next question, if yes, the individual needs a card.*

-  Is the individual a full-time employee?
- Will the individual be granted access to a networked computer?
- Will the individual be accessing Federally controlled space for more than 180 days on a regular basis?

## HSPD-12 (cont’d)

**HSPD-12 ****(cont’d)**

-  All those meeting the criteria will have background investigations completed by 10/27/07 and smartcards in-hand by 10/27/08
-  Costs involved include:
-  NACI - $80
-  Smartcard - $100
-  Annual Maintenance - $40

## America the Beautiful Pass

**America the Beautiful Pass**

-  Will replace all other passes including the National Parks Pass
-  Will cost approximately $60 - $80 each
-  Will be given to volunteers in recognition of their significant service
-  Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism defined “significant” as 500 hours

## America the Beautiful Pass (cont’d)

**America the Beautiful Pass ****(cont’d)**

-  In order to be eligible for the pass, volunteers must create an account and track their hours on volunteer.gov/gov
-  Park VIP Coordinators will be required to verify a VIP’s hours once they have reached the 500 hour mark (details to be determined at a later time)

## Slide 35

## VIP Program Capacity

**VIP Program Capacity**

- Building the Service’s capacity to handle the increase in program funding, volunteers, and volunteer hours is an immediate and ongoing need that will be addressed through the evaluation process.

**Notes:**
A large-scale evaluation of the volunteer program will be conducted this fiscal year.

## VIP Program Capacity

**VIP Program Capacity**

- Currently, the average grade of a volunteer coordinator in the field is a GS 09 who spends approximately 25% of his/her time working on the volunteer program.

**Notes:**
It will help to determine things like program capacity and how to make improvements where needed.

## VIP Program Capacity

**VIP Program Capacity**

- Volunteers are members of the staff and require training, supervision, and recognition. The National Park Service emphasizes the importance of providing consistent, high-quality service to the public. The standard is the same for all paid and non-paid staff.

**Notes:**
It will help to determine perceptions of the volunteer program at all levels and will enable staff and program managers to provide training and supervision as appropriate so that volunteers, staff, and visitors have a quality experience.

## VIP Program Capacity

**VIP Program Capacity**

- Focus on VIP Program Management Training and Certification increases program efficiency as well as raises the visibility and professionalism of the program. An introductory on-line training course for Park Volunteer Managers is also being created.

**Notes:**
An online training course is also on the horizon for the NPS. Since the turn-over rate for volunteer coordinators/managers in the field is so great, there often isn’t enough time or resources to train a new coordinator. This would provide an introduction to volunteer management as well as other resources and be accessible to all NPS volunteer coordinators at their very own computer.

## Slide 40

## VIP Recognition

**VIP Recognition**

- Recognizing volunteers for their contributions and maintaining consistent and accurate records of their service is a priority.

**Notes:**
Volunteer recognition comes in all forms and at all levels of service.

## The George Hartzog VIP Recognition Program

**The George Hartzog VIP Recognition Program**

- The George B. Hartzog, Jr. Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service are made possible by a generous donation to the National Park Foundation from former NPS Director, George Hartzog.

**Notes:**
The NPS recognizes volunteers at the local, regional, and national levels. This national award is now in its third year.

## The George Hartzog VIP Recognition Program

**The George Hartzog VIP Recognition Program**

- 3 Categories of Recognition
-  Individual
-  Group
-  Park VIP Program

## Take Pride in America National Awards

**Take Pride in America National Awards**

- Take Pride in America annually awards excellence in volunteerism in 12 categories. Over the past 3 years, the National Park Service has nominated over 80 volunteers and paid staff for these awards.

**Notes:**
The NPS also participates in Take Pride in America and appreciates the additional opportunity to recognize volunteers on public lands.

## Take Pride in America

**Take Pride in America**

- Take Pride in America and the Charter Partners have created a volunteer guide that provides information and incentives for people to volunteer on public lands. It is being distributed to volunteers as a thank-you and informational piece.

## Servicewide VIP Newsletter

**Servicewide VIP Newsletter**

- Part of the National Park Service’s volunteer recognition program is the VIP newsletter, *The Steward*. With the help of the National Park Foundation, the National Park Service is publishing this newsletter twice a year.

**Notes:**
Another form of recognition is a volunteer newsletter. Only one issue has come out so far but the NPS and NPF (foundation) are working on the second. 

## “When a V.I.P. agrees to share his talents, skills and interests with the National Park Service, he is paying us one of the highest compliments possible by offering a most valued possession – his time.”

*“**When a V.I.P. agrees to share his talents, skills and interests with the National Park Service, he is paying us one of the highest compliments possible by offering a most valued possession – his time.”*
- 					George B. Hartzog Jr.					Director, National Park Service					1963-1972

**Notes:**
Invaluable volunteers dedicating valuable time to care for your special places.