Bureau of Land Management Basic Volunteer Administration Training; Call for Site Nominations for FY 2015; DD: 12/31/2014

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20240
http://www.blm.gov
November 20, 2014

In Reply Refer To:
1114 (420) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 11/24/2014
Information Bulletin No. 2015-011

To:                   All Field Office Officials
                        Attn:  Volunteer Coordinators

From:              Assistant Director, National Landscape Conservation System and Community Partnerships

Subject:          Bureau of Land Management Basic Volunteer Administration Training; Call for Site Nominations for FY 2015                                                                   DD: 12/31/2014                                                

The Division of Education, Interpretation and Partnerships is soliciting site location nominations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Volunteer Administration training course to be offered in Fiscal Year 2015. This 12-hour, one and a half day class provides the basic knowledge, skills, and tools needed to administer a successful volunteer program at the BLM State and Field Office levels.  Attendees learn how to execute forms and prepare documentation, apply rules and regulations, market the program and recruit volunteers, report program achievements and maintain records, and implement the six fundamentals of volunteer management (writing position descriptions, recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, and evaluating volunteers).

This highly effective course will be taught by seasoned volunteer coordinators from throughout the BLM.  We strongly encourage volunteer coordinators, resource specialists, and field managers who work with volunteers to attend this excellent “nuts and bolts” course on volunteer administration.  No registration fees are charged, but each participant’s home office will be responsible for travel costs to the training location.  

Please note that the BLM Volunteer Program National Strategy 2004 (Goal 3, Objective 1, Action 1) stipulates that all BLM volunteer coordinators should attend the BLM Volunteer Administration course within six months of beginning volunteer coordinator duties.  A minimum of 12 BLM employees is required for the course to be held at any given site.  After that level of participation has been reached, other Federal and State agency employees, as well as BLM volunteers, may be invited to participate.  Maximum class size is 25.
Please contact Linda Schnee of the Division of Education, Interpretation, and Partnerships at (202) 912-7453 or [email protected] by December 31, 2014, if you are interested in hosting a course offering in your State.  Please provide at least two dates between February 1, 2015 and September 30, 2015 that would be convenient for your staff, and the number of attendees you expect.  Staff from partnering organizations is also welcome to attend if space allows. BLM does not cover the cost of travel or per diem for non-profit partner staff to attend.

Course locations will be chosen based on both need and the number of prospective attendees who have never taken the training before.  The Washington Office will make every effort to offer training at those sites that have requested it depending on the availability of Washington Office and National Trainer Center travel funds for the trainers.  Final course locations will be announced by Information Bulletin in early 2015.

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:
Carl Rountree                                                              Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                                                       Division of IRM Governance,WO-860
National Landscape Conservation System and Community Partnerships