&B e y o n dB

DEAR TEAM MEMBERS,

Last year, more than 5,500 of you graciously donated a total of 148,086 hours to Metro Parks Tacoma’s programs that enrich

our understanding of cultural heritage, contribute to active and healthy lifestyles and restore and protect nature and the environment.

Your efforts enhanced our capacity to serve Tacoma by an estimated $3.3 million dollars in contributed

volunteer hours. This has allowed us to sustain high-quality programs that touch thousands of lives.

Culture Heritage

BY THE NUMBERS (cont.)

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ted

on F

ores

try

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ices

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prov

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ost

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Active Living PAGE 2

Culture & HeritagePAGE 4

Nature & EnvironmentPAGE 3

A “thank you” to our volunteers

Culture & Heritage Volunteers Hours

ParksWW Seymour Botanical Conservatory 58 974 & Other Unique Historic Spaces

RecreationMetro Arts 67 844Ethnic Fest 65 325Fort Nisqually Re-enactors 248 14,313Total 438 16,456

Send in the Parents

A Metro Arts production can easily involve 200 to 350 kids. With a staff of 18 people, we are more than grateful for the 67 outstanding parents who contributed 844 hours to us last year. Without their efforts, the show would never go on.

Many parents volunteer for the first time so they can stay close as their child kicks off what they hope will be a long and prosperous acting career. Others volunteer out of the camaraderie developed with staff members over the years.

No matter what brings them here, they help with everything from ordering and tailoring costumes,

transporting kids around backstage, watching them during downtime and getting them ready for the spotlight.

“You’d be surprised how many girls have already

made their own corsets and need a place to wear them.”

Lane Sample Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Staff and volunteers preserve Tacoma’s cultural traditions through art and education and create a sense of community pride.

4702 S. 19th St. • Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 305-1000

www.MetroParksTacoma.org

Living History

Our volunteers bring life to Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. From our 100-person reenactment of the Fur Brigade’s arrival in 1855, to the Sewing to Sowing History Day, our multitalented volunteers help bring the fur trade era alive in our own back yard.

Four times a year, the museum arranges a three-hour basic training session for new arrivals. Volunteers can then delve into our research library, spend time observing experienced volunteers in their fields of interest or join a guild. Some end up sewing and knitting, others join the cooks and gardeners, while others sip tea and converse with the upper class at the Factor’s House.

As their knowledge grows, volunteers help bring history alive at our many events and reenactments. Last year, 248 people devoted an astounding 14,313 hours to their craft for the benefit of all in Tacoma and international visitors alike.

VOLUNTEER REPORT 2012

&Nature Environment

BY THE NUMBERS

Leading by Example

It’s no small order to ask parents to coach Metro Parks’ more than 100 baseball teams. Without volunteers, 2,350 kids aged K through third grade would not have been able to play sports last year.

A belief in the importance of youth sports drove 461 volunteers to devote 7,172 hours to our athletes in 2012—expanding our budget capacity by $158,788. All volunteers participate in an orientation seminar and those who need a little more help can request backup from an experienced coach.

Not only do our volunteers enable thousands of kids to enjoy the fun of playing team sports; they demonstrate the rewards of volunteerism to the next generation.

Getting in the Game

Adaptive Recreation arranges athletic programs for people with physical impairments. We always encourage volunteers to join in because being

involved provides a greater understanding of the game as well as the athletes who are playing.

Last year, 82 volunteers spent 1,276 hours with us, augmenting our service delivery value by $28,250. Some of our

volunteers serve as coaches, while others play alongside program participants to help prepare them for tournaments.

After helping at a practice or a tournament, most people will tell at least one person about their experience, and word of mouth travels fast. Participation in a local program is required to gain entry into state and national competition, something for which our Paralympic Teams are likely to qualify.

“Whether our volunteers

realize it or not, they become advocates for

our programs.” Heidi Herriott

Volunteer Coordinator

“Once people start coaching, the fun draws them back. We see a lot of repeat coaches.” Roy Fletcher Volunteer Coordinator

Metro Parks operates programs and centers to engage the community and promote active, healthy lifestyles.

Active Living

Active Living Volunteers HoursNorthwest Youth Sports Alliance 461 7,172Community Center Programs 172 8,230SHERPA Teen Volunteer Programs 48 2,017.55 K and Community Fun Runs 40 400SPARX, Camps and Youth Development 21 1,410Specialized Recreation–Cognitive Disabilities 118 1,938Adaptive Recreation–Physical Disabilities 82 1,276

Total 942 22,444

Nature & Environment Volunteers HoursParksNeighborhood and Community Parks 750 8,136Boathouse Marina, Meadow Park Golf Course 342 13,543 and Unique Park Spaces Natural Areas Management 510 8,929

Zoological & Environmental Education FacilitiesNorthwest Trek 731 18,838Tacoma Nature Center 275 5,170Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 896 33,972

Total 3,504 88,588

Partners Volunteers HoursWW Seymour Conservatory Foundation 12 302Parks CHIP-in! Partners 340 11,910Fort Nisqually Foundation 72 1,910Greater Metro Parks Foundation 20 1,495Advisory Councils, Steering Committees and Interns 75 1,822.5Northwest Trek Foundation 13 687Zoo Society 126 2,472

Total 658 20,599

Connecting Every Walk of Life

Volunteers support Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA)staff in all areas of operation, and span the spectrum from middle and high school youth learning about conservation to career-seeking college students and retirees who want to make a difference.

This year, 896 volunteers contributed 33,972.28 hours of ser-vice which enhanced budget capacity by $740,253. Volunteer services were provided at a cost of $138,337 for a return of $5.35 for every $1 expended. Volunteers in total donated an 8.93 percent increase in hours compared to 2011.

The PDZA has expanded volunteer training opportunities to include talks on climate change, greeters at the main entrance and community group opportunities. Its youth volunteer program has grown from 22 in 2008 to 65. Senior Zoo Guides now engage with visitors in more areas of the zoo, improving PDZA’s award-winning experience.

A Few Good Stewards

Under siege by invasive plant species, Tacoma’s many natural areas rely on a special group of “super volunteers” called Natural Area Stewards to lead neighborhood work parties.

After an initial interview, new stewards go to an orientation seminar held by the Green Tacoma Partnership. There they learn how to spot and remove invasive species, how to replant an

area with native species and how to monitor an area afterwards to sustain its health.

Last year, these stewards rallied 850 community

volunteers who spent 20,839 hours restoring natural areas in Tacoma. Their combined efforts restored 32 acres of natural area.

Conservation and stewardship training offered by the Tacoma Nature Center, Northwest Trek and the Green Tacoma Partnership help preserve Tacoma’s native plantlife, strengthen urban nature areas and beautify the city.

&Nature Environment

BY THE NUMBERS

Leading by Example

It’s no small order to ask parents to coach Metro Parks’ more than 100 baseball teams. Without volunteers, 2,350 kids aged K through third grade would not have been able to play sports last year.

A belief in the importance of youth sports drove 461 volunteers to devote 7,172 hours to our athletes in 2012—expanding our budget capacity by $158,788. All volunteers participate in an orientation seminar and those who need a little more help can request backup from an experienced coach.

Not only do our volunteers enable thousands of kids to enjoy the fun of playing team sports; they demonstrate the rewards of volunteerism to the next generation.

Getting in the Game

Adaptive Recreation arranges athletic programs for people with physical impairments. We always encourage volunteers to join in because being

involved provides a greater understanding of the game as well as the athletes who are playing.

Last year, 82 volunteers spent 1,276 hours with us, augmenting our service delivery value by $28,250. Some of our

volunteers serve as coaches, while others play alongside program participants to help prepare them for tournaments.

After helping at a practice or a tournament, most people will tell at least one person about their experience, and word of mouth travels fast. Participation in a local program is required to gain entry into state and national competition, something for which our Paralympic Teams are likely to qualify.

“Whether our volunteers

realize it or not, they become advocates for

our programs.” Heidi Herriott

Volunteer Coordinator

“Once people start coaching, the fun draws them back. We see a lot of repeat coaches.” Roy Fletcher Volunteer Coordinator

Metro Parks operates programs and centers to engage the community and promote active, healthy lifestyles.

Active Living

Active Living Volunteers HoursNorthwest Youth Sports Alliance 461 7,172Community Center Programs 172 8,230SHERPA Teen Volunteer Programs 48 2,017.55 K and Community Fun Runs 40 400SPARX, Camps and Youth Development 21 1,410Specialized Recreation–Cognitive Disabilities 118 1,938Adaptive Recreation–Physical Disabilities 82 1,276

Total 942 22,444

Nature & Environment Volunteers HoursParksNeighborhood and Community Parks 750 8,136Boathouse Marina, Meadow Park Golf Course 342 13,543 and Unique Park Spaces Natural Areas Management 510 8,929

Zoological & Environmental Education FacilitiesNorthwest Trek 731 18,838Tacoma Nature Center 275 5,170Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium 896 33,972

Total 3,504 88,588

Partners Volunteers HoursWW Seymour Conservatory Foundation 12 302Parks CHIP-in! Partners 340 11,910Fort Nisqually Foundation 72 1,910Greater Metro Parks Foundation 20 1,495Advisory Councils, Steering Committees and Interns 75 1,822.5Northwest Trek Foundation 13 687Zoo Society 126 2,472

Total 658 20,599

Connecting Every Walk of Life

Volunteers support Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (PDZA)staff in all areas of operation, and span the spectrum from middle and high school youth learning about conservation to career-seeking college students and retirees who want to make a difference.

This year, 896 volunteers contributed 33,972.28 hours of ser-vice which enhanced budget capacity by $740,253. Volunteer services were provided at a cost of $138,337 for a return of $5.35 for every $1 expended. Volunteers in total donated an 8.93 percent increase in hours compared to 2011.

The PDZA has expanded volunteer training opportunities to include talks on climate change, greeters at the main entrance and community group opportunities. Its youth volunteer program has grown from 22 in 2008 to 65. Senior Zoo Guides now engage with visitors in more areas of the zoo, improving PDZA’s award-winning experience.

A Few Good Stewards

Under siege by invasive plant species, Tacoma’s many natural areas rely on a special group of “super volunteers” called Natural Area Stewards to lead neighborhood work parties.

After an initial interview, new stewards go to an orientation seminar held by the Green Tacoma Partnership. There they learn how to spot and remove invasive species, how to replant an

area with native species and how to monitor an area afterwards to sustain its health.

Last year, these stewards rallied 850 community

volunteers who spent 20,839 hours restoring natural areas in Tacoma. Their combined efforts restored 32 acres of natural area.

Conservation and stewardship training offered by the Tacoma Nature Center, Northwest Trek and the Green Tacoma Partnership help preserve Tacoma’s native plantlife, strengthen urban nature areas and beautify the city.

&B e y o n dB

DEAR TEAM MEMBERS,

Last year, more than 5,500 of you graciously donated a total of 148,086 hours to Metro Parks Tacoma’s programs that enrich

our understanding of cultural heritage, contribute to active and healthy lifestyles and restore and protect nature and the environment.

Your efforts enhanced our capacity to serve Tacoma by an estimated $3.3 million dollars in contributed

volunteer hours. This has allowed us to sustain high-quality programs that touch thousands of lives.

Culture Heritage

BY THE NUMBERS (cont.)

Prin

ted

on F

ores

try

Serv

ices

Cou

ncil

(FSC

) ap

prov

ed p

aper

(30

% p

ost

cons

umer

was

te).

Active Living PAGE 2

Culture & HeritagePAGE 4

Nature & EnvironmentPAGE 3

A “thank you” to our volunteers

Culture & Heritage Volunteers Hours

ParksWW Seymour Botanical Conservatory 58 974 & Other Unique Historic Spaces

RecreationMetro Arts 67 844Ethnic Fest 65 325Fort Nisqually Re-enactors 248 14,313Total 438 16,456

Send in the Parents

A Metro Arts production can easily involve 200 to 350 kids. With a staff of 18 people, we are more than grateful for the 67 outstanding parents who contributed 844 hours to us last year. Without their efforts, the show would never go on.

Many parents volunteer for the first time so they can stay close as their child kicks off what they hope will be a long and prosperous acting career. Others volunteer out of the camaraderie developed with staff members over the years.

No matter what brings them here, they help with everything from ordering and tailoring costumes,

transporting kids around backstage, watching them during downtime and getting them ready for the spotlight.

“You’d be surprised how many girls have already

made their own corsets and need a place to wear them.”

Lane Sample Education & Volunteer Coordinator

Staff and volunteers preserve Tacoma’s cultural traditions through art and education and create a sense of community pride.

4702 S. 19th St. • Tacoma, WA 98405 (253) 305-1000

www.MetroParksTacoma.org

Living History

Our volunteers bring life to Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. From our 100-person reenactment of the Fur Brigade’s arrival in 1855, to the Sewing to Sowing History Day, our multitalented volunteers help bring the fur trade era alive in our own back yard.

Four times a year, the museum arranges a three-hour basic training session for new arrivals. Volunteers can then delve into our research library, spend time observing experienced volunteers in their fields of interest or join a guild. Some end up sewing and knitting, others join the cooks and gardeners, while others sip tea and converse with the upper class at the Factor’s House.

As their knowledge grows, volunteers help bring history alive at our many events and reenactments. Last year, 248 people devoted an astounding 14,313 hours to their craft for the benefit of all in Tacoma and international visitors alike.

VOLUNTEER REPORT 2012