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Precinct 4 Encore!

VOLUNTEER

HANDBOOK

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome ………………………………………………………………….…... 3

Mission Statement/Vision Statement/Core Values/Value Statement................. 4

General Information/Volunteer Information …………………………………. 5

Volunteer Policies ……………………………………………………………. 6-7

Volunteer Opportunities ……………………………………………………… 8-9

WELCOME

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle is committed to providing adults 50 years of age and older with special services through the Precinct 4 Encore! and its nonprofit organization Fun4Seniors. These services include:

Community center classes, programs, and activities

Opportunities to volunteer

Discounted tickets to festivals, museums, plays, concerts, theatrical and sporting venues

Recreational day trip transportation on Precinct 4 buses

Activities are ongoing and provided throughout the precinct at the following locations:

Harris County Library Branches

• Barbara Bush Library

• Fairbanks Library

• Kingwood Library

Precinct 4 Community Centers

• Big Stone Lodge Community Center

• Mangum-Howell Community Center

Community Partner Sites

• Bethany Christian Church

• Champion Forest Baptist Church Jersey Village

• CHI St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital

• Copperfield Church

• Humble Civic Center

• Lone Star College – Creekside Center

• Lone Star College – University Park

• Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital

• North Woods Baptist Church

• St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church

• Spring Cypress Presbyterian Church

• Spring Woods Baptist Church

• Tomball Community Center

• Tomball Regional Medical Center

To participate in an upcoming event or to get more information, call the Precinct 4 Encore! Program at 713-274-4050 or visit our website at encore/events.

We look forward to working with you!

MISSION STATEMENT

Fun4Seniors exists to provide unique, enriching, and entertaining activities for adults 50 years of age and older.

VISION STATEMENT

Fun4Seniors will be the model for providing unique, enriching, and entertaining activities for adults 50 years of age and older.

We will accomplish this by bringing social and cultural opportunities to every community of Precinct 4.

CORE VALUES

Accountability

Can-do Attitude

Commitment to Excellence

Encouraging

Open and Accepting

Teamwork

Transparency

VALUE STATEMENT

Fun4Seniors values purposeful interactions based on an encouraging and accepting attitude for everyone. We are team-oriented professionals skilled in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and determination.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fun4Seniors recognizes the important role of volunteers in providing a quality experience to thousands of participants each year. As a volunteer, it is essential that you become familiar with the background and policies. Fun4Seniors offers a wide variety of ongoing programs and events such as bridge tournaments, dances, discount tickets and transportation to sporting venues, fine art performances, museums, festivals, and special attractions in and around the greater Houston area. Other activities may be requested by groups and participants 50 years and better.

This handbook outlines the basic philosophy and purposes of Fun4Seniors, along with the many service opportunities and volunteer procedures.

Location/Contact Information

Fun4Seniors

14444 Holderrieth Road

Tomball, Texas 77377

713-274-4050

Volunteer Coordinator: Gema Barerra

gbarrera@

encore/events

Hours of Operation

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Fun4Seniors is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Dr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Volunteer Benefits

1. Annual volunteer recognition event to acknowledge hours of volunteer service and show our appreciation for your work with Fun4Seniors.

2. Excellent Training.

3. A sense of satisfaction for your work with Fun4Seniors.

4. Great working conditions!

VOLUNTEER POLICIES

The Fun4Seniors staff is committed to providing quality programs and services to the community, and volunteers provide the necessary assistance to carry out these services. A volunteer is any individual who donates time, services, goods, and/or money to facilitate Fun4Seniors programs. Fun4Seniors recruits and enrolls volunteers without regard to race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, or physical ability. Special accommodations may be made upon request. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and permission from a legal guardian is required.

• Placement: All new volunteers at Fun4Seniors are interviewed by the volunteer coordinator. Upon completion of the interview and review of the volunteer handbook, volunteers are assigned to a mutually agreed upon area of service and provided with sufficient training.

• Dress Code: Volunteers are provided a red vest with Precinct 4’s logo to be worn over slacks/pants with a blouse/shirt.

• Driving: Due to insurance requirements, volunteers may not drive vehicles owned by Harris County.

• Volunteer Application: All volunteers must complete an application. This information serves as a record of training, emergency contact information, and enrollment. This information is maintained by the volunteer coordinator and may be used for recognition awards.

• Absences or Tardiness: Unavoidable absences or tardiness should be reported as soon as possible to the volunteer coordinator. If that staff member is not available, please leave a message with the Fun4Seniors staff at 713-274-4050.

• Recording Hours: All volunteers are required to record the total number of hours worked after each event on log sheets provided by the volunteer coordinator. These records are very important to both the individual and to Fun4Seniors, since the combined hours are used for grant applications and other funding requests. Each volunteer’s cumulative number of volunteer hours are also used for annual award recognition events.

• Conflict Resolution: Occasionally, conflicts arise that require resolution. Should a volunteer have a grievance with a staff member or fellow volunteer, every attempt will be made to handle this informally by speaking openly with the staff member or volunteer. Should further discussion be necessary, please contact the volunteer coordinator. Fun4Seniors reserves the right to terminate the services of any volunteer who is not in compliance with Harris County or Fun4Seniors policies. A Harris County policy manual is on file with the volunteer coordinator.

VOLUNTEER POLICIES (Cont.)

• Privacy and Confidentiality: All volunteer information will be maintained with consideration to privacy and confidentiality. Information may be used in the following ways:

▪ On computer databases, contact mailing lists, and volunteer applications – both written and computer generated. These records are kept in secure non-public spaces/offices.

▪ Volunteers and staff will not share information such as phone numbers or e-mail addresses without consent, including volunteers who are on Fun4Seniors committees.

• Safety: Personal property should not be locked in cars in public spaces; instead all personal items should remain on/with the volunteer, as in a waist purse or backpack.

• Fun4Seniors Expectations of Volunteers While on Volunteer Duty:

▪ Volunteers are subject to a code of ethics similar to that which binds professionals in the field in which they work. All volunteers are treated equally, and none will be viewed as having special privileges. All will be accountable for their actions while at a Fun4Seniors event.

▪ Volunteers assume certain responsibilities to perform work according to standards set by Harris County Precinct 4 (HCP4)/Fun4Seniors and understand that they will be held accountable by Fun4Seniors staff.

▪ Volunteers assume certain responsibilities to perform work according to standards set by HCP4 staff

• Please Contact the Volunteer Coordinator or Fun4Seniors Director if:

▪ You have a question, comment, suggestion, or complaint.

▪ You want to recruit new volunteers.

▪ You wish to take a leave of absence, discontinue your work at Fun4Seniors, or change your area of placement.

▪ You have a suggestion for an event, guest speaker, fundraiser, recognition idea, etc.

▪ If you have any concerns about programs or events.

HARRIS COUNTY INMATE WORK PROGRAM

Fun4Seniors receives daily support of general labor from inmates of the Harris County jail. Harris County inmate trustees are screened and selected for work assignments while under the supervision of Harris County Precinct 4’s Inmate Coordinator at all times. During special events, they often provide assistance to volunteers and Fun4Seniors staff. All requests for their help must go through the HCP4 Inmate Coordinator. Please adhere to the guidelines that only professionally oriented conversations take place with the inmate trustees. At no time should there be any personal conversations.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Training: On the job training will be provided for most volunteer opportunities. Some jobs may require more specialized training.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Below are current volunteer opportunities. Review each category to see which one(s) are of interest to you.

Event Opportunities

Outreach/Community Service

Duties: Participate in outreach trips to community service locations such as the Houston Food Bank, Star of Hope Mission, Meals on Wheels, Kid meals, Houston Chevron Marathon, Peanut Butter Cannery, Ani-meals, and assist with Fun4Seniors Nursing Home Traveling Day Camp.

Skills Needed: Natural enjoyment of people; ability to relate in a personable and positive manner; and a desire to serve the community.

Cashier/Ticket Taker at Special Events

Duties: Accurately collect and make change for cash and checks, collect tickets, and count participants attending events.

Skills Needed: Natural enjoyment of people; ability to relate in a personable and positive manner; cash handling experience; good communication and observation skills.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (Cont.)

Hospitality at Special Events

Duties: Assist with caterers and kitchen help; prepare and set up hospitality areas at events, serve food and drinks, clean up hospitality area after event, shop for and pick up snacks and refreshments for various events.

Skills Needed: Natural enjoyment of people; the ability to relate in a personable and positive manner; enthusiasm for special events and entertaining.

Set Up/Decorating at Special Events

Duties: Assist the Fun4Seniors staff in the set up and decorating of venues prior to special events.

Skills Needed: Natural enjoyment of people; ability to relate in a personable and positive manner; enthusiasm for decorating; the ability to work with a budget.

Become a Fun4Seniors volunteer and help contribute to the success of this worthy community service!

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