Town of Simsbury Launches Volunteer Initiative

Submitted release 

The Town of Simsbury has announced the creation of the Simsbury Volunteer Initiative, a two-year effort to recruit, organize, promote and honor the many residents who are willing to donate their time and efforts to the benefit of the town. The Town created an online tool for residents to submit their contact information and indicate their preferred types of volunteer opportunities. 

“Volunteerism is one of those core attributes of a vibrant and successful town, and we are so fortunate to have such an incredible number of residents who are willing to pitch in,” said First Selectman Mary Glassman.  “But until now, the Town was limited in its ability to effectively manage, track and honor these individuals, while also missing out on the chance to quantify the financial value of their service to the Town. The Simsbury Volunteer Initiative seeks to change this.”

The Town has created a webpage - www.simsbury-ct.gov/volunteer - where residents can view a selection of volunteer opportunities; ranging from participating on a Town Board or Commission to Eagle Scout projects, open space clean-ups or becoming a Town Hall Greeter.  Simsbury town staff will work with the City of Dublin, Ohio, a municipality that is widely-known for its extensive network of volunteers, as the Volunteer Initiative program continues to be improved.

“The goal is not only to increase the number of town volunteers, but also to make these volunteer efforts more visible and track the savings realized by the Town as a result,” said Glassman. “Volunteers touch all facets of Town government services and we hope to professionalize the process by benchmarking the value that our volunteers bring to our community.” 

Glassman will involve the Town’s Technology Task Force to seek recommendations that could streamline and improve the process.  Questions regarding the Simsbury Volunteer Initiative can be directed to Sean Kimball, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, at (860) 658-3230.