The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a) Since the spirit of volunteerism has long animated generations of Americans to give of their time and abilities to help others, the state would be wise to make use of volunteers in state service wherever practically possible.

(b) The spirit of citizen initiative and self-reliance that has prevailed throughout the United States for over the past two centuries needs to be recognized and fostered whenever possible in meeting the basic human needs in the state.

(c) In every community or neighborhood there are individuals who, by their personality, concern, experience, commitment, and training, can serve as citizen action leaders.

(d) There presently exists sufficient resources to assist citizen action efforts. There are an infinite number of skilled, experienced community groups, and volunteer organizations available to help mobilize citizen initiatives. Such groups include business and fraternal organizations, churches, women’s organizations, voluntary action centers, schools and other community organizations in both the public and private sectors.

(e) Legal and market disincentives and impediments need to be eliminated in order to establish an optimum environment for citizen initiative and volunteer action.

(f) There is a need for a clearinghouse, to provide information concerning resources and alternatives to foster self-reliance and citizen action.

(g) It is not the intent of the Legislature that volunteers replace or supplant public employees, where such employees are providing services deemed necessary for the government to perform, but that they add new dimensions to providing of governmental services.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1195.)