City government makes volunteering tough
I APPLAUD Mayor (Tim) and Mrs. Keller for their efforts in challenging Albuquerque residents to step up to the plate and volunteer in numerous arenas in our city. Having said that, before the mayor starts telling the citizens of the many opportunities for us to “help our city,” he needs to take a look at his own house.
My husband and I already volunteer in numerous organizations both within the city structure and in our community. I have to say, volunteering with the city and/or getting the city to work with volunteers takes an almost Herculean effort. Many times it borders on being a self-defeating effort.
My husband has been on the Housing Advisory & Appeals Committee (HAAC) with city Zoning for several years. Recently, he hasn’t received any notices, meeting announcements, communications, etc., from Zoning. We tried emailing his contact individual, but she is no longer in the position. So what is going on here? No one has to notify a committee member anymore about hearing schedules? What happened to the “volunteer” credo?
Our neighborhood association has for many years adopted and maintained a city streetscape. Solid Waste, which is the responsible department, has sent out the new “contract” and “release of liability.” Of course volunteers need to sign a release of liability. But when a release states the volunteer will adhere to “posted regulations and policies,” “park and urban trail use ethics” (while) “encouraging users to follow rules and practice safe park use,” and the volunteers have not been provided these “policies” nor trained in this information, what is going on? Where is the city’s responsibility in educating a volunteer about these “policies” it is referencing? What does it have to do with picking up trash and weeds on a city streetscape? Communication with Solid Waste is only through a PIO, who merely repeats the need for a release of liability and says in summary “we’ll get back to you.” Don’t try contacting the ABQ volunteer coordinator. We did. Dead silence. City Councilor? Equally unresponsive. The Mayor’s Office? The Solid Waste Department acting director? You know what that answer is already.
So yes, volunteerism is very important. But as I said at the beginning, Mayor Keller needs to look at his own house and how the city treats volunteers. Volunteers don’t need the frustration, apathy, unresponsiveness, and lack of courtesy that we are subjected to.