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What follows represents our current thinking and is not yet approved policy.
If you have more ideas, send them to Oscar
ooliphant@jhbcityparks.com
FUNCTIONS''>href=´mailto:ooliphant@jhbcityparks.com´>ooliphant@jhbcityparks.com
FUNCTIONS OF VOLUNTEERS
Daily volunteer facility patrols, in identified parks
Addressing complaints falling within their scope
Reporting such complaints to allocated wardens
High visibility passive ´policing´
Crime prevention falling within their scope
Routine minor clean-up programmes
Public education programmes
Rapid response in conjunction with park wardens
Public relations activities guided by JCP
Preventative action
Public forum interaction
By-law applicatons under guidance of JCP and JMPD (Metro Police)
Facility use reports
Facility maintenance reports
Daily feedback reports
Volunteer duty monitoring services
WHERE TO ESTABLISH VOLUNTEER SERVICES
We don´t want to re-invent the wheel. For this reason we are looking at tried and tested examples of existing volunteer operations. Some of these are sparkling examples of what we can achieve. However, there will obviously have to be an assessment with all JCP officials (especially General and District Managers) who are tasked with working closely with these types of structures.
We are mainly proposing that these volunteers and structures are placed at flagship parks, such as Zoo Lake and Emmarentia Dam. In these cases it would not be a question of undoing what already exists, but simply bringing the existing arrangements into line with new policy. We also believe JCP can copy some of the practices of, among others, Zoo Lake Users´ Committee.
We must also closely study the situation in township parks and decide where we need to place and establish these structures. We are proposing to involve people who live in close proximity to the parks, starting with those who live across the road. Involving residents is important in terms of sustainability and ownership. However, no restriction should be placed on people in terms of where they choose to volunteer. A person who is employed in the Inner City may volunteer for service in an Inner City park and perform his/her duties during lunch break. Some volunteers may opt for other JCP activities such as Conservation. The Stakeholders´ Forum and Ward Committees should make an effort to get volunteer structures up and running in all parks. Parks in which this programme could be started immediately are:
All flagship parks
Thokoza Park in Soweto
Ebony and Ivory in Ivory Park
Meadowlands Park in Soweto
Poseidon Park in Ennerdale
Extension 9 Park in Eldorado Park
Public Park in Orange Farm
Dlamini Ext. 1 Park
Pimville Park 8000
Pimville Park 1702
Protea Park 8980
Diepsloot Park
All Inner City parks
These parks have all recently been developed or upgraded and communities are very interested in plans for them. It makes sense for JCP to try to get park volunteers in place when parks are being established and to establish park volunteer committees.
MAKE UP AND SIZE
The actual size of the park and activities planned by the park will be the deciding factor. In principle:
A minimum of five volunteers and a maximum of 20 would be the park quota.
The park volunteer committee should reflect Joburg´s composition, especially with regards to race and gender.
RELATIONSHIP WITH JCP
In the case of volunteer committees, JCP must reserve the right to appoint individuals to sit on the committee on its behalf. JCP must also have the power to impact on the committee´s activities in a positive and constructive way to advance the interest of the community, the company and city.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
There should be no legal implications for JCP caused by the actions of individuals or the committee as a whole.
When dealing with members of the public, committee members must adhere to JCP´s prescribed principles and policies at all times.
In order to achieve this, JCP will have to ensure that these committee members understand its policies and are taken through a training session that could also serve as an incentive and empowerment process to them.
Volunteers should not be paid. No expectations should be created by anyone when a volunteer has been engaged that this is paid employment.
JCP should enter into a legal agreement with volunteers that indemnifies the company from any claims or demands.
Volunteers should report to the appointed park wardens and on scheduled occasions, meet with the senior manager.
Shift rosters will be worked out with assistance from the manager.
BENEFITS TO JCP
The volunteer strategy will bring many potential benefits to customers, the community and JCP itself. These include:
Constantly and effectively monitoring customer needs
Creating ownership of parks in the community
Creating meaningful partnerships with community structures
Curbing the high levels of vandalism in parks
Volunteers could be utilised in other company operations as well.
Community Liaison and Park Safety would primarily be responsible for this function and other departments will consult if the services of volunteers are required. An agreement will then be reached with the relevant volunteer. |
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