Volunteer Voice Newsletter (Spring 2019)

VOLUNTEERVOICE

SPRING/SUMMER 2019 • PALATINE PARK DISTRICT

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

New Volunteer Onboarding Software – Coming Soon!

This year Palatine Park District will be implementing new software that will streamline the application and onboarding process for our volunteers. You will still be able to access the information and applications via link on the volunteer page of our website: volunteer.palatineparks.org.

From there you will complete an online application and waiver that will replace the fillable pdf we currently use, then submit your documents to the Volunteer Coordinator. A link to an onboarding portal will be sent to you with the steps needed to complete the requirements to volunteer with us. This new process will help streamline paperwork and improve communications with our affiliate organizations. Each volunteer will know what they need to do before they can begin volunteering with their organization and the Park District and the Volunteer Coordinator will be able to track progress and know when volunteer onboarding is complete.

We are beginning the process of assembling information and designing dashboards with the intent of having this new system available in Fall 2019.

Earth Day Service Initiatives Many thanks to those who signed up for these events that had to be cancelled due to poor weather. Please consider helping out at the Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction Event being held on July 20 at Harper Community College. This event is a partnership between the Village of Palatine and Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. We are still in need of volunteers to help unload items from cars and direct traffic at this busy event.

Visit volunteer.palatineparks.org to sign up today!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Fishing Derby – May 18 Arlington Park Outreach Event – June 9 Canine Carnival – July 25 Sign up today at Feet Fest – August 25

volunteer.palatineparks.org

Meet our new clerical volunteer Suanne joined us as a clerical volunteer over the winter and enjoys assisting us while her daughter is in school.

“My husband, Chris, and I are longtime Palatine residents. We have two daughters, Sarah (PHS graduate studying at The University of Minnesota) and Emma (6th grader at Lincoln Elementary School). I like to read and I’m learning to crochet! I look forward to enjoying volunteering during my retirement”.

—Suanne

Volunteer Highlights Thank you to the many volunteers who have provided service to our community over the winter months and early spring. Service initiatives included Frosty Family Fun Night, Date Night, Indoor Movie Night, Hound Egg Hunt, Allegro Spring Concert, Musical Matinee, Big Trucks Event, and goody bag stuffing.

Volunteer roles included greeters, concession attendants, coat check attendants, game attendants, craft table attendants, ushers, marketing assistants, and goody bag stuffers.

If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering at Palatine Park District and available roles visit volunteer.palatineparks.org.

RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO GIVE:

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon On Saturday, February 2, Palatine Park District recognized 18 volunteers for their service to affiliate groups and associated organizations of the District at the 20th annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. Volunteers were chosen by each organization for their service during the 2018 calendar year and were recognized during a luncheon held at Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Drive, Palatine.

The event is coordinated by Palatine Park District Volunteer Coordinator Alissa DePue. According to DePue, “Palatine Park District volunteers add great value to our community.

Being grateful for their time and effort, it’s important to us that we recognize them in a meaningful way. This luncheon provides the opportunity to acknowledge their accomplishments, reinforce their efforts, and show appreciation.”

The 18 individuals named 2018 Volunteer of the Year by their organization are: • Matt FioRito, Palatine Stables • Greg Kuhs, Palatine Pickleball Club • Erin Calhoun, Palatine Youth Theatre • Ted Dodge, Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball • Jennifer Lang, Penguins Lacrosse • Laura Seamon, Palatine Gymnastics Club • Mikie Swier, Bike Palatine Club • Jean Fitzpatrick, Fremont Street Theater Company • Pat McGovern, Palatine Baseball Association • Christine Ovcina, Palatine Dance • Zak Reed, Rolling Meadows Renegades Hockey • Cem Poyraz, Palatine Celtic Soccer Club • Teresa Stepp, Palatine Tiger Sharks Swim Team • Donna Strum, Partners for Our Communities • Douglas James, Palatine Hills Golf Association • Mike Spedale, Palatine Amateur Football Association •.Fan Brown, Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council • Margaret Plank, Palatine Historical Society

In addition to these volunteers, two long term community members were inducted into the Volunteer Honor Roll in recognition of their service. Gus Panos introduced R. Barry “Bear” Shatwell from the Palatine Pickleball Club and Fred Hall introduced John Helpap from Palatine Hills Golf Association. To R. Barry "Bear" Shatwell be considered for the Palatine Pickleball Club Honor Roll, a volunteer Honor Roll Inductee must have held a leadership position in an organization (or organizations) for a significant number of years. Honor Roll members must also have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their organization. Annually, the Honor Roll Committee reviews all past and current volunteers of the year and provides recommendations to the Palatine Park District Board of Commissioners for Honor Roll consideration.

The luncheon program included welcoming remarks by Dennis Hanson, current chair and one of the original members of the Honor Roll Committee and a keynote address by Reid Ottesen, Village Manager for Village of Palatine.

Honor Roll Committee members also provided remembrance remarks John Helpap for two community Palatine Hills Golf Association volunteers who passed Honor Roll Inductee away in 2018. Jim Lennon spoke of Gary Gray, 2017 Honor Roll inductee, and Carolyn Mangold helped the audience remember Marilyn Pedersen who was named to the Honor Roll in 1980.

The Volunteer Honor Roll committee includes Donelda Danz, Alissa DePue, Linda Fleming, Dennis Hanson, Jim Lennon, Carolyn Mangold, Gus Panos, and Don Torgersen.

“The relationship between the park district and over 30 affiliate, parent, and special interests groups is special and creates an array of recreational opportunities for all ages and interests,” said Park District Executive Director Mike Clark. “This relationship is bound by trust, respect, and a genuine shared vision of making Palatine a great place to make memories. The volunteer spirit in Palatine is thriving! To ensure that we continue this trend the park district wishes to celebrate and show appreciation for these volunteers and honor them for the countless hours given so others may be engaged in their interests.”

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”

Benefits of Youth Volunteerism Source: Youth Service America

Why is volunteering good for kids?

Check out the benefits below!

-Howard Zinn

Greater sense of social responsibility

Continued service as an adult

WE CAN HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT CORPORATE SERVICE PROJECT Corporate Social Responsibility: A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in the interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.

Employees who volunteer their time to company service projects believe their service:

Heightened compassion

• • • • •

Benefits them personally Improves their ability to perform their work duties Improves their ability to cope with job challenges Develops contacts and skills that can be used on the job Improves self-esteem and sense of pride

Benefits of demonstrating corporate social responsibility:

• Altruistic intentions—good global citizens • Means of recruiting, motivating, and retaining employees • Customer and public relations

How Palatine Park District can help:

Enhanced emotional development

We can assist in organizing company service projects which demonstrate your company’s mission, values, and philosophy.

• Environmental Beautification Projects (plantings, landscaping, etc.)

• Stables Stewardship Programs • Corporate Clean Up Projects (graffiti, trails, parks) • Health and Wellness Events • Special Event Assistance

Alissa DePue Volunteer Coordinator

Increased social and communication skills

Email: adepue@palatineparks.org Phone: 847.496.6212

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 or question or suggest an article idea 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 volunteer.palatineparks.org.