REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Proclamation Affirming the City’s Commitment to Volunteerism and Approving the City’s Participation in the JustServe Volunteer Opportunities Platform
Report
BACKGROUND
On August 24, 2026, the City Clerk’s Office received a Council Written Request submitted by Councilmember Hardy requesting that an item be placed on a future meeting agenda regarding Santa Clara’s participation in the JustServe (referred to in the prior report as “Just Serve”) volunteer opportunities platform. On September 15, 2026, the City Council considered the request (Agenda Item 26-959) in accordance with Council Policy 030 (Adding an Item on the Agenda) and voted to place the item on a future Council meeting agenda for Council consideration and approval. This report returns the item to the Council for action on a proclamation affirming the City’s commitment to volunteerism and the City’s participation in the JustServe volunteer opportunities platform.
Council Policy 020 (Proclamations, Commendations, and Certificates of Recognition), as amended on September 10, 2024 by Resolution No. 24-9365, identifies the authority, criteria, and procedure for recognizing individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, special periods of observance, or special occasions through ceremonial documents. Under Council Policy 020, proclamations are issued for events or periods of observance (e.g., days, weeks, months, or years), civic celebrations, or local, community, regional, state, or national occasions with significance to the City of Santa Clara. Resolution No. 24-9365 describes proclamations as giving City recognition to such observances, occasions, or programs with significance to the City. Proclamations include the signatures of the Mayor and all City Councilmembers and are approved by the Mayor. A Councilmember may request approval of a proposed proclamation, commendation, or certificate of recognition by the full City Council in alignment with Council Policy 030 (“Adding an Item to an Agenda”). This item comes before the Council through that Council Policy 030 process.
Consistent with the purpose of Council Policy 020, the City of Santa Clara aspires to support volunteerism in the City and to recognize the organizations and individuals whose service strengthens the Santa Clara community. The proposed proclamation is presented in support of that aspiration and of the City’s participation in the JustServe platform.
DISCUSSION
JustServe believes in spreading hope, goodness, and unity through volunteerism, with the goal of building united and harmonious communities. JustServe offers a free volunteer platform, available on the web and through a mobile app, that links individuals with local service projects, helps people identify needs in their community, and helps nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and community groups connect with volunteers. JustServe.org strives to make it easier for residents to find and engage in volunteer opportunities and to regularly acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of volunteers.
The platform is free to individuals of all ages and backgrounds and is fully funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a humanitarian offering. As noted in the September 15, 2026 report, the platform does not permit commercial activity, political campaigns, lobbying, or religious proselytization. JustServe reports that the platform reaches 17 countries and nearly one million volunteers, with more than 16,000 participating organizations and more than 400 cities.
Through the JustServe City program, JustServe partners with and recognizes cities for their efforts to promote volunteerism. The program includes a JustServe City Award that provides recognition to cities that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to volunteering and have made a significant impact in their community through those efforts. To qualify, a city creates and displays a City Volunteerism Proclamation in a visible location and emails the signed proclamation to awards@justserve.org <mailto:awards@justserve.org>.
JustServe introduced the JustServe City program in 2023, and since then cities that have received the designation include South Jordan, Utah; Houston, Texas; Chandler and Mesa, Arizona; Winchester, Virginia; Los Angeles, California; Louisville, Kentucky; and Franklin, Tennessee, along with Oshawa, Ontario and Spruce Grove, Alberta in Canada.
The City of Santa Clara aspires to support volunteerism in the City and to encourage residents to find and engage in meaningful service to their neighbors and community. Participation in the JustServe volunteer opportunities platform supports that aspiration by giving residents a free, easy way to find local service opportunities and by giving the City a way to recognize those who serve.
Staff prepared a draft proclamation (Attachment 2) that declares the City’s commitment to promoting volunteerism and to participating in the JustServe volunteer opportunities platform, leveraging JustServe.org to make it easier for residents to find and engage in volunteer opportunities. It also recognizes JustServe for its dedication to spreading hope, goodness, and unity through service. Consistent with Council Policy 020, the proclamation would bear the signatures of the Mayor and all City Councilmembers.
Upon approval, staff will submit the signed proclamation to awards@justserve.org to request formal participation as a JustServe City, and City departments will be encouraged to post volunteer opportunities on JustServe.org. There is no cost to the City to use the platform.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional cost to the City other than administrative time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Manager’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve a proclamation affirming the City’s commitment to volunteerism and approve the City’s participation in the JustServe volunteer opportunities platform.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aracely Azevedo, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 020, Proclamations, Commendations, and Certificates of Recognition
2. Draft Proclamation