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Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing April 2018 as "National Volunteer Month" in the County of El Dorado; and,
2) Join his efforts during the month of April and throughout the year to recognize those who volunteer their time and talent to support organizations within our community as well as those who volunteer their time and talent to support the numerous programs administered by our County agencies. (Est. Time: 5 Min.)
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President Richard Nixon first established National Volunteer Week in the United States, designating the calendar week beginning April 21, 1974, as National Volunteer Week via Presidential Proclamation 4288.
This annual recognition of one week in April as National Volunteer Week has continued at the national level per Presidential Proclamation, by individual states and at the local community level through various efforts to acknowledge the value of volunteers.
Former President George H. W. Bush established the "Daily Points of Light Award" for individuals making a difference. During President Bush's administration, the phrase "A Thousand Points of Light" was popularized and distinguished his efforts in recognizing more than 1,000 volunteers as "points of light" and his advocacy that these "points of light" demonstrate how a "neighbor can help a neighbor."
The effort to acknowledge and celebrate volunteers grew to recognize the entire month of April as "National Volunteer Month."
In 2002, former El Dorado County Supervisor Carl Borelli brought forward an Annual Volunteer of the Year program that provided an opportunity for each member of the Board of Supervisors to recognize a member or organization from within their individual districts for their contributions to their community and county through volunteer service. The Board continued with this Annual practice for a few years.
Supervisor Ranalli recommends that the Board of Supervisors join him in reviving and continue former Supervisor Carl Borelli's Annual Volunteer of the Year program and consider designating an individual or organization to be recognized as that District's 2018 Volunteer of the Year at the Board's first regular meeting in December.
Additionally, Supervisor Ranalli recommends that the Board of Supervisors join him in recognizing those in our community who provide their time and talent as members of the numerous volunteer groups that formally support our County agencies, staff and programs. As such and in keeping with the theme of celebrating our volunteers, Supervisor Ranalli will sponsor agenda items throughout the year to provide the Board of Supervisors with the opportunity to specifically thank individual volunteer groups and individuals that support our county and that ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services.