San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors celebrated the spirit of volunteer service on May 8, recognizing three outstanding participants in the Civic Center Volunteers (CCV) program. Some 7,700 volunteers and interns are active each year in County departments.
From left, Student Intern of the Year Andrew Peasley, Staff Supervisor of Volunteers of the Year Christine Shaw, and Volunteer of the Year Frank Cox. Board members commended CCV 2017-2018 Volunteer of the Year Frank Cox, Student Intern of the Year Andrew Peasley, and Outstanding Staff Supervisor of Volunteers Christine Shaw during a ceremony emceed by Human Resources Director Mary Hao.
Cox, of San Rafael, encourages Marin residents to be ready for the next big earthquake or wildfire. An energetic volunteer with the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, he consults with neighborhood groups, assists at booths at local fairs, and helps coordinate disaster drills. He advocates for neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces to be ready to self-support in the immediate wake of a disaster. Cox maintains relationships with scores of emergency-preparedness experts across the region. He developed and teaches an employee Disaster Service Worker program that is now mandated for all County staff.
A former County employee, Cox began volunteering to support emergency preparedness while he was an attorney in the Public Defender’s Office. After retiring, he expanded his volunteer commitment and has so far contributed more than 10,000 hours, including full days in the Emergency Operations Center in October 2017 when it was activated to support North Bay wildfire evacuees.
Peasley interns with the Health and Human Services Department’s division of Child and Family Services. A UC Santa Cruz graduate, he is earning a master’s degree in social work at San Francisco State University. As an intern he meets clients, conducts interviews, and assesses family strengths. He has responded at all hours to protect children’s safety. Mentored by County staff, he has learned to maintain complex case records. He said the internship is engaging, challenging, offers valuable field experience, and has confirmed his choice of a career in child welfare work. Peasley was recognized for his dedication and cooperative spirit. He said it was particularly inspiring to see County social workers model respect and empathy as they serve clients in crises.
Shaw, the Outstanding Staff Supervisor of Volunteers, is an equal employment specialist with the Human Resources Department. The Novato resident coordinates a team of 20-plus high school interns who support the annual Marin Teen Girl Conference. Shaw also supervises college interns and community volunteers who help with projects of the Equal Employment Opportunity division of Human Resources. Her approach to supervising is upbeat, cooperative, and creative. She invites volunteers to propose their own ways of meeting goals, and she teaches leadership skills to interns. Shaw said she appreciates the perspectives and ideas contributed by volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
“Frank, Andrew, and Chris embody the ideals of volunteerism,” said Coordinator of Volunteers Anne Starr. “As they apply their strengths and skills to serve others, they – along with the thousands of others who volunteer for the County – make Marin a better place for all of us.”
Student Internships Coordinator Joy Fossett added, “Our honorees truly invest themselves in their assignments. The County of Marin is fortunate to have them on our team.”
For 39 years the CCV program has connected Marin residents with their local government. Volunteers extend the work of the County’s paid staff, allowing more service to residents than would otherwise be possible.
CCV currently has these opportunities available: Marin Civic Center tour docent, bilingual receptionist, invasive plant eradication specialist (weed puller), administrative aide, library book shelver, open space steward, Library Beyond Walls liaison, event assistant, Teen Advisory Group library intern, client assessment aide, Adopt-A-Spot clean-up volunteer, public guardian intern, wildlife-picture field volunteer, and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), among others.
Some volunteer assignments may be customized based on an applicant’s interests and expertise. For details and to apply online, see the webpage for volunteering and internships or call the CCV office at 415-473-7407.