ERBM Recreation & Park District Volunteer Handbook
Updated June 2024
Message from the Volunteer Coordinator Team
Hello and welcome!
We're thrilled you are considering volunteering for ERBM Recreation & Park District. Whether you're passionate about sports, arts, community events, or simply want to give back to our neighborhood, your time and energy are invaluable.
Volunteers are at the heart of our programming. Your dedication and enthusiasm help us create a vibrant and engaging community. This handbook is here to guide you, provide essential information, and ensure you have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.
Thank you for choosing to be a part of our team. Together, we'll make our community an even better place to live, play, and grow!
Sincerely,
Volunteer Coordinator Team
ERBM Recreation & Park District
Volunteer Contact
Shelly Rogers, Recreation Manager
Phone: (970) 878-7415
Email: shelly@erbmrec.com
Mission Statement
The ERBM Recreation and Park District creates year-round recreational, cultural, and outdoor experiences that improve well-being and promote a vibrant community for the residents, visitors and future generations of Eastern Rio Blanco County.
Volunteer Purpose
Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting staff in the implementation of activities and special events. They bring positivity and enthusiasm, help supervise participants, and ensure a safe environment. Volunteers also provide valuable feedback and suggestions for program improvements, and they adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Volunteer Handbook.
Volunteer Opportunities
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Coaching/mentoring for youth activities (no experience necessary!)
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Community events
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Special events
Responsibilities
Responsibility of the District to the Volunteer
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Adhere to and enforce Volunteer Policies and Procedures.
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Review and revise Volunteer Policies and Procedures annually.
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Offer training and orientation.
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Maintain records of hours spent in service.
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Encourage and ensure support from supervisors and other staff.
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Provide supervision and guidance via Recreation Supervisor(s) and Recreation Coordinator(s).
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Recognize volunteers through expressions of appreciation.
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Offer a quality experience for volunteers.
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Protect volunteers from accidental injuries through the Volunteer Accident Insurance Program.
Responsibility of the Volunteer to the District
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Complete the Volunteer Application.
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Sign a Letter of Acknowledgment.
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Participate in online Concussion Training annually and submit your certificate to ERBM each year.
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Provide information for background checks every three years if working with “high-risk” groups.
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Adhere to Volunteer Policies and Procedures as outlined in this handbook.
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Attend appropriate meetings/trainings.
Policies & Procedures
General Information
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Be prompt when reporting for a program, activity, or event.
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Be cheerful and friendly to participants and patrons.
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Report all accidents/incidents, no matter how small, to staff immediately.
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Limit the use of cell phones or other electronic devices while volunteering, except in the event of an emergency.
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In the event of an emergency, call 911. If a staff member is present, report the call to them immediately. Call the Recreation Supervisor or the Meeker Recreation Center (970-878-3403) if no staff member is on-site.
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Tobacco use is permitted in approved areas only.
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To avoid accidents, always remain alert and practice good safety habits. Report unsafe conditions to staff immediately.
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Acknowledge and agree that you are not an employee, agent, or contractor for ERBM and have received no promise of, and will not be eligible for, any employment benefits due to your volunteer activities.
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If you suspect child abuse, report it immediately to the Recreation Supervisor or Recreation Manager.
Appearance
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As an ERBM Recreation and Park District representative, personal cleanliness and appearance should be neat and professional, as the activity dictates.
Attendance
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Report to your volunteer activity at least 15 minutes before the start time.
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Call the Recreation Supervisor or Manager if you cannot attend a practice, program, or event. Only send or secure a substitute if approved by ERBM staff.
Code of Conduct
The following list of violations is not all-inclusive. These are examples of the conduct that may result in your inability to continue in a volunteer capacity.
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Deliberate destruction, abuse, or unauthorized removal of ERBM property.
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Reporting to a volunteer assignment with drugs or alcohol in one’s system.
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Reporting to a volunteer assignment and selling, using, dispensing, or possessing alcohol or drugs.
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Possessing a firearm or other weapon while volunteering for ERBM.
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Deliberately interfering with the job performance of another volunteer or employee.
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Conduct that endangers the safety or well-being of another person.
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Refusal to perform volunteer assignments.
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Instances of disrespect toward participants, parents, members of the public, volunteers, or employees.
Problem Resolution Procedure
It is encouraged that problems be reported to a Recreation Coordinator or Supervisor as they arise. If the staff member cannot achieve a satisfactory solution, contact the Recreation Manager.
Rewards and Recognition
ERBM Recreation & Park District is very proud of our volunteers and their accomplishments!
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When you volunteer for a District activity or event with registration costs, you will receive the equivalent of the registration cost for the activity you are volunteering for. If you have multiple children participating, you will receive up to the equivalent of the registration cost for a maximum of two children. The District will credit this cost to your customer account after the program ends.
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When you volunteer for a District activity or event with no corresponding cost, you will receive $5.00 per hour, with a maximum of $50.00 per activity. District staff will track volunteer hours. The District will credit the amount to your customer account after the program ends, with a maximum of $500.00 annually.
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Volunteers are also recognized and appreciated for their efforts in various other ways. Your name will be displayed in our lobby and you will be recognized on social media.
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The ERBM Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding volunteers whose dedicated service has made a significant difference in our community. The recipient will receive a free individual annual pass to Meeker Recreation Center, or up to $280 will go toward an annual dual or family membership. If the winner is an employee, they will receive a gift and plaque courtesy of ERBM.
Concussion Training
Any volunteer working with youth as a coach, assistant, or in any other volunteer position must complete a concussion education course and submit their course certificate before the first day of volunteering.
The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Concussion Training takes approximately 30 minutes.
Please print or save your completion certificate to submit with your volunteer application. Training and recertification must be completed annually.
Background Checks (if needed)
Risk Categories
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Low Risk* – Volunteers with very limited or no contact with vulnerable populations (i.e., children, seniors, the disabled); always supervised by or paired with a staff member; and volunteer service is always performed in a group setting.
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High Risk – Volunteers working with groups of children or seniors; sometimes or usually not supervised by or paired with a staff member; and those working one-on-one with vulnerable populations (i.e., children, seniors, the disabled).
*School district employees are exempt from a background check.
Disqualification
A volunteer will be able to perform duties once the background check is completed and found to be acceptable. If a background check returns a negative or concerning result, Human Resources may request additional information or clarification from the candidate.
The following is a non-inclusive list of potential concerns that may disqualify a person from volunteer duties:
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Crime or moral misconduct
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Drug or alcohol offenses
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Domestic violence
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Crimes of violence
The following is a non-inclusive list of offenses that disqualify a person from volunteer duties:
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Any crime of a sexual nature
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Homicide or manslaughter in any degree
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Attempted murder
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Child neglect or endangerment
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Felony drug crimes
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Any crime involving children
After you submit your application, ERBM staff will determine if a background check is necessary to work with high-risk groups as outlined below. If a background check is needed, you will be contacted and ask to provide additional details.
Submit and authorize your background check by tapping the button below.
If you would prefer to submit a hard copy, Background Check Authorization Forms are available at Meeker Recreation Center, 101 Ute Road, Meeker, CO.