Chapter 2.10 — VOLUNTEERS

This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Long Beach Citizens Initiative and Voluntary Action Law.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

The City Council finds and declares that:

A.

Since the spirit of volunteerism has long animated Long Beach citizens to give of their time and abilities to help others, the City would be wise to expand the already substantial use of volunteers in local governmental service wherever practically possible.

B.

The spirit of citizen initiative and self-reliance needs to be recognized, fostered and expanded whenever possible in meeting basic human needs in the City.

C.

In every neighborhood there are individuals who, by their personality, concern, experience, commitment and training, can serve as citizen action leaders and volunteers.

D.

There presently exist sufficient local resources to assist volunteer citizen action efforts. There are an infinite number of skilled, experienced community groups, and volunteer organizations available to help mobilize citizen initiatives. Such groups include neighborhood, business and fraternal organizations, churches, women's organizations, voluntary action centers, schools and other community organizations in both the public and private sectors.

E.

Legal and market disincentives and impediments need to be identified and eliminated in order to establish an optimum environment for citizen initiative and volunteer action in the cause of localism and in City government.

F.

There is a need for a clearinghouse, to provide information concerning resources and alternatives to foster self-reliance and citizen action.

G.

It is not the intent of the City Council that volunteers should replace or supplant public employees where such employees are providing services deemed necessary for the City government to perform but, rather, that they add new dimensions and insights to providing such governmental services.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

The purpose and goals of this Chapter are to provide a mechanism with the City government that will:

A.

Foster the spirit of citizen initiative and voluntary action in City government to the full extent permitted by law;

B.

Enable adequate communication and collaboration whereby individuals and agencies may converse with each other to initiate new programs or improve existing programs for citizen initiative and voluntary action at the local level;

C.

Identify untapped human, technical and material local resources that can be mobilized for the public good through citizen initiative and voluntary action;

D.

Open up the process of City government to provide a common ground for two (2) fundamental concepts, volunteerism and citizen initiative, to be brought together in mutually supportive relationships as a basis for better municipal services; and

E.

Achieve an effective and permanent expansion of citizen initiative and voluntary action in City government problem solving and citizen participation in the delivery of local government services.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

As used in this Chapter:

A.

"Volunteer" means any person who, of his/her own free will, provides goods or services, without any financial gain, to any department or division of the City of Long Beach.

B.

"Administrative volunteer" means any person serving voluntarily on boards, commissions or other similar bodies of the City of Long Beach.

C.

"Direct service volunteer" means any person involved in specific volunteer service that includes one (1) to one (1) relationships or assistance to recipients of City services.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

The City Manager shall designate an appropriate department of the City and a person within that department to act as clearinghouse and coordinator of all volunteer activities in the City and to advocate and encourage citizen initiative and volunteer action within City government. The coordinator shall cooperate and interact fully in his/her activities with the office of the Mayor.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

The City Manager shall direct each department director to designate one (1) departmental employee to serve as volunteer coordinator for that department. All such departmental coordinators shall constitute the intradepartmental coordination task force to assist the volunteer coordinator in carrying out his/her responsibilities under Section 2.10.050. The task force shall meet from time to time on call of the volunteer coordinator.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)

The City Attorney shall work closely with and advise the volunteer coordinator as to all matters relating to the volunteer program. Among other things, he/she shall cause the preparation of a concise statement of the City's legal position and responsibility relating to volunteers, which statement shall be available to all volunteers for their information. He/she shall also prepare a general purpose waiver form to be signed by all volunteers as a part of their indoctrination process and shall also assist in the preparation of all agreements entered into by the City relating to the use of volunteers.

(Ord. C-7315 § 1, 1995)