Gwinnett County Recruiting Volunteers

Gwinnett County announced it is implementing a countywide volunteer program with a goal of recruiting one million volunteer hours a year by 2015.

The comprehensive Volunteer Gwinnett program was developed in response to an Engage Gwinnett recommendation to involve citizens in volunteer activities to support government operations and potentially save money. Development of a website for the program is underway.

Gwinnett resident and 12Stone Church CFO Norwood Davis, a member of Engage Gwinnett, championed the idea of a countywide volunteer program. “Volunteer Gwinnett gives residents an opportunity to serve one another for the common good. Everyone can make a difference, and I encourage my fellow residents to join me in keeping our community a great place to live, work and play,” Davis said in the announcement. 12Stone Church has multiple campuses across Gwinnett and Hall County located in Lawrenceville, Hamilton Mill and Flowery Branch.

Many county departments already use volunteers to assist with events and daily activities. In 2010, volunteers with various Gwinnett County departments logged more than 300,000 hours of service.

Interested residents will be able to learn about additional volunteer opportunities and sign up online. The program will also include a standardized training and registration process along with events to recognize volunteers for their service. Each county department, agency and office has designated staff to manage their volunteer opportunities and volunteers. The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to implement the program at its Aug. 16 meeting.

“I am already so thankful for the folks who give their time and talent to county government through our existing volunteer programs,” Commission Chairman Charlotte Nash said in the announcement. “I look forward to seeing the results of involving even more citizens through this new countywide initiative. I hope all of our volunteers will feel a sense of community and accomplishment through their service. We certainly appreciate it.”