Keizer committee examines volunteer recruitment, eyes student-focused video and outreach updates

The Keizer Community Diversity Engagement Committee on Tuesday reviewed the city’s volunteer recruitment process and agreed to pursue short-term steps to boost youth participation, including a small work group to draft a student-focused recruitment video and edits to a public outreach rack card.

Jane Herb, chair of the Volunteer Coordinating Committee, told the committee the city posts volunteer opportunities on the city website, the Chamber of Commerce social pages and on social media; applications are available in English and Spanish. “The candidates would have a background check run on them prior to coming in front of the volunteer coordinating committee,” Herb said, adding that the city manager and other staff review those checks before candidates are interviewed and forwarded to city council for final appointments.

The volunteer process is a two-step civic appointment: candidates apply online, are interviewed by the Volunteer Coordinating Committee, then nominated to the city council for confirmation. Herb said committee terms run two years and are tied to the appointing councilor or the mayor. The Volunteer Coordinating Committee provides sample…