Perceived Training Needs of Volunteers in Government Service

Abstract

Community boards, committees and commissions are an essential element in linking citizens to local government. Their input and involvement provide a credible citizen voice to impact decisions. Training is often the first step necessary to help ensure that boards, committees and commissions can serve in a strong and effective manner. The information contained in this article is based upon a survey conducted in Fall 1992 by the Family Community Leadership (FCL) Project to ascertain training needs of individuals serving on municipal boards, committees and commissions in Carson City, Nevada. Effective leadership has become a more difficult challenge in the context of the ever increasing complexity of our society. Roles have become a complex set of functions rather than simply holding a position. The ability to envision the future, identify and analyze issues and to utilize a wide array of communication skills has been identified by many studies as critical elements for community leaders in the 90s. In the context of local government, Epstein and Cutchin (1990) identify individual development and improved communications as approaches that have been shown successful in achieving organizational excellence. These approaches tend to become more measurable when they are embraced by the total organization and the top of the organizational structure displays involvement with sponsorship and setting of the program's tone.