Politics & Government

Carlsbad Volunteer Leader Best in the County

The head of the city's volunteer program, Sue Irey, has been named Volunteer Administrator of the Year by the Volunteer Administrators Network and the Cultural Volunteer Managers Council of San Diego.

The City of Carlsbad has much to celebrate during this year’s National Volunteer Week, with nearly 2,500 dedicated volunteers and an award-winning volunteer program director. 

Under Sue Irey’s leadership since 2003, the City of Carlsbad’s volunteer program has grown to include nearly 2,500 volunteers who assist city staff and residents with everything from creating databases to pulling weeds. The size of the City of Carlsbad’s volunteer base nearly triples the number of city staff, and volunteers donated 112,854 hours of service last year.

These efforts are worth $2.3 million.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Among the unique volunteer programs developed under Irey’s leadership is Carlsbad Mediation Solutions, a free mediation service for Carlsbad residents. The service pairs a highly trained, neutral volunteer mediator with residents who have a disagreement. The mediator guides a discussion between the two individuals toward a mutually acceptable agreement.

City of Carlsbad volunteers also deliver hot midday meals to homebound seniors; help maintain the 46 miles of trails in the city through clean-up efforts and work as trail captains; tutor adults in reading and writing at the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center; and help keep the city safe as volunteer patrolmen and women for the City of Carlsbad Police Department, among other services. 

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Irey’s work to grow support for the volunteer program has created new opportunities for community members to become involved with the city while helping city staff increase efficiencies significantly. Irey has dedicated her career to encouraging people to serve their communities. Before joining the City of Carlsbad, she served as volunteer resources manager and public information officer for the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also is a former president the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government.        

Irey said both a passion for encouraging civic involvement, and her belief in how much volunteers can do to improve a community, help make her job a rewarding challenge. "Each of us can make a difference,” she said. “And it really will change our city and our world.” 

For more information on volunteer opportunities with the City of Carlsbad, visit carlsbadca.gov/volunteer.   

–City of Carlsbad


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