City of Columbia (MO) Volunteer Program: part of the Meet the Board series

Leigh Britt

Over the years the Volunteer Program has evolved from being a stand-alone department to being a subset of our Community Development Department. The original volunteer program in Public Works has not been merged with the City-wide volunteer program. Columbia’s Volunteer Program is staffed by Leigh Britt, Neighborhood Services Manager and past NAVPLG President, and Volunteer Program Specialists Andrea Shelton and Tina DeClue. The program has benefitted from the support of City leaders and dedicated staff who manage volunteers.

In 2013, Columbia’s Volunteer Program placed volunteers in more than 90 positions in 10 departments. High points for the program include Adopt-A-Spot Litter and Beautification Programs (each with about 100 active volunteers), Park Patrol (volunteers who serve as extra eyes in the City’s extensive trail and park system), TreeKeepers (trained volunteers who assist on tree projects in parks), and Youth In Action (a summer volunteer program for kids 12-15 years of age). A special focus for 2014 will be starting an Adopt-A-Rain Garden Program and increasing volunteer activities related to recycling and waste reduction education.

The City of Columbia’s involvement in NAVPLG has been invaluable. Recently the program made the decision to move from an Access database to Volgistic to better serve and manage volunteers. “I greatly appreciate all the NAVPLG members who responded with their experience with volunteer software. Several took time to visit with our staff by phone and answer our questions. Sharing our NAVPLG network is what our organization is all about,” said Britt.

Learn more about the City of Columbia’s Volunteer Program at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Volunteer.


City of Columbia (MO) Volunteer Program: part of the Meet the Board series Leigh Britt Over the years the Volunteer Program has evolved from being a stand-alone department to being a subset of our Community Development Department. The original volunteer program in Public Works has not been merged with the City-wide volunteer program. Columbia’s Volunteer Program is staffed by Leigh Britt, Neighborhood Services Manager and past NAVPLG President, and Volunteer Program Specialists Andrea Shelton and Tina DeClue. The program has benefitted from the support of City leaders and dedicated staff who manage volunteers. In 2013, Columbia’s Volunteer Program placed volunteers in more than 90 positions in 10 departments. High points for the program include Adopt-A-Spot Litter and Beautification Programs (each with about 100 active volunteers), Park Patrol (volunteers who serve as extra eyes in the City’s extensive trail and park system), TreeKeepers (trained volunteers who assist on tree projects in parks), and Youth In Action (a summer volunteer program for kids 12-15 years of age). A special focus for 2014 will be starting an Adopt-A-Rain Garden Program and increasing volunteer activities related to recycling and waste reduction education. The City of Columbia’s involvement in NAVPLG has been invaluable. Recently the program made the decision to move from an Access database to Volgistic to better serve and manage volunteers. “I greatly appreciate all the NAVPLG members who responded with their experience with volunteer software. Several took time to visit with our staff by phone and answer our questions. Sharing our NAVPLG network is what our organization is all about,” said Britt. Learn more about the City of Columbia’s Volunteer Program at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Volunteer.
NAVPLG - Spring 2014