2. RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS

     The Plan for Volunteer Services should include procedures for recruiting and screening volunteers. It should identify responsibilities not only of the Coordinator of Volunteers but of other Head Start staff and policy groups.. Development of an inventory of the kinds of volunteer assistance the program could use will involve cross component planning and facilitate recruitment of volunteers for specific tasks.

     Volunteers can be professionals and nonprofessionals; parents, local residents, and members of the larger community; those who give a few hours time and those who volunteer every week; board members and those who serve on policy and advisory groups; those who work in classrooms, or offices, or kitchens; those who provide necessary health education, medical and dental examinations, and other health services.
 

2.1 Responsibility for Recruitment of Volunteers

     The major responsibility for the recruitment of volunteers is assigned to the Coordinator of Volunteers. The Coordinator must develop -a multifaceted approach to recruitment which may include a committee assigned the task of developing recruiting strategies and targeting volunteer resources.

REFERENCE  TEXT CITATION 

"Head Start Child Development Programs: A Manual of Policies and Instructions." Manual 6108-1, Office of Child Development, September 1967. 
3. The Staff 

f. The Volunteers 

The Coordinator of Volunteers should be responsible for their recruitment and the administration of their services. The recruitment is not always easy. They should be sought both within and outside the target neighborhood. Volunteer bureaus and other agencies which specialize in volunteers should be approached for help. The need should also be publicized through parents of the children, church groups.... Perhaps a committee to recruit volunteers could be established. 
 

2.2 Role of the Policy Council/Committee in Recruitment of Volunteers

In addition to volunteering in the program, Head Start parents and other Policy Council or Policy Committee members shall assist in the recruitment of volunteers from the community and the parent group. The role of these policy groups should be included in the Plan- for Volunteer Services. It is worth noting that the members of Policy Councils and Policy Committees are themselves volunteers.

REFERENCE  TEXT CITATION 

"Head Start Program Performance Standards." 45-CFR 1304, Appendix B--Head Start 1-30-2, The Parents, November 1984. 
B. The Role of the Parents 

1.c(2) The Head Start Policy Committee ...the Committee shall: 

(e) Aid in recruiting volunteer services from parents, community residents, and community organizations, and assist in the mobilization of community resources to meet identified needs. 

1.c(3) The Head Start Policy Council 
...the Council shall: 

(e) Recruit volunteer services from parents, community residents and community organizations, and mobilize community resources to meet identified needs.
 
 

2.3 Mobilization of Community Resources
 

     Head Start policies have always encouraged the active recruitment of parents, non- Head Start professional staff, and community agencies to supplement existing program resources.

REFERENCE  TEXT CITATION 

"Head Start Child Development Programs 
A Manual of Policies and Instructions." 
Manual 6108-1, Office of Child 
Development, September 1967.
4. The Community 

a. Mobilizing Community Resources 

Mobilization of community resources involves more than agencies and groups. Individuals count heavily as a community resource. An early childhood specialist...a qualified social worker...a pediatrician or dentist... journalist, lawyer, banker, advertising man, parent--each has a contribution to make to the program, either with...specialized skill or as a liaison with other sections of the community....These people can often contribute to parent involvement activities as well as to staff in-service training programs. 

"HDS Position Statement on 
Volunteerism." HDS-IM-82-1, Office of 
Human Development Services, July 26, 
1982. 
Recruitment and Use of Volunteers: 

Volunteers can be recruited from all socio-economic groups within the community, including representatives of client groups, civic, fraternal, or religious organizations, and other community groups.
 
 

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