Volunteer…What? Why? Who? Where? How?

What is a Volunteer?
A volunteer is an individual who sees a need, is concerned and willing to do something about it. A person who, of his/her own free will, contributes talents, time and service to a program without pay. Volunteers supplement staff but do NOT replace them.

Why should I Volunteer?
Volunteering gives you an opportunity to:

Help identify community needs
Develop knowledge of local government operations
Share your talents
Leave a lasting effect on the community
Learn new skills
Form friendships and expand your network
Satisfy school community service requirements

Volunteering provides an experience that is both rewarding to residents and valuable to the City. Volunteering also represents a partnership between the City and the residents, fueled by a commitment to maintain the quality of life in the community.

Who can Volunteer?
All individuals, aged 13 years and up, are eligible to volunteer with the City of Palm Beach Gardens including (but not limited to): Residents, Non-residents, Adults, Seniors, and Students seeking community service requirements. Volunteers come from every background community, regardless of age, gender, race, faith, economic level, or ethnicity.

Where may I Volunteer?
Volunteers can assist in a number of departments, on an ongoing or as needed basis. Currently the following departments are utilizing the volunteers: City Clerk, Community Services (which includes the Golf Course, Parks, and Recreation), Fire/Rescue, Growth Management, Human Resources, and Police.

How do I become a Volunteer?
Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the volunteer program may contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Katie Bielecky, at 561-630-1102. Prospective volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application Form, Interest Survey and Background Screening Consent Form.

Upon receipt of a successful background screening, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact prospective volunteers to schedule an orientation session. The Volunteer Coordinator familiarizes prospective volunteers with the City’s history and government as well as the volunteer program (including current opportunities). The Volunteer Coordinator never assigns a volunteer to a specific task; all volunteers choose the position(s) they participate in. After the volunteer selects the department he or she would like to begin working, the Volunteer Coordinator provides the volunteer’s name to the specific area’s Volunteer Supervisor. The supervisor will contact the volunteer and schedule a time for training to commence.