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Craig — John Ponikvar pauses after listing the area boards he serves on.

The Moffat County Finance Corporation, the Community Corrections Board, the Judical Performance Commission and the Moffat County Tourism Association make up his current obligations.

"Is that all I'm doing now?" he said, adding that in some years, he's served with eight organizations.

In that time, Ponikvar has noticed a trend.

"We're seeing a few new faces," he said. "But I think the problem I've seen over the years is that we have a few people involved in boards and organizations in the community."

Ponikvar's observation comes after national studies show volunteer numbers have declined in recent years.

About 60 million Americans volunteered at organizations once or more between September 2006 and 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site.

That's about a 0.5 percent decrease from 2006, the Web site reported, and the volunteer rate dropped about 2 percent in 2005.

Those statistics could be translating to Moffat County.

In Ponikvar's experience, he said, a few highly active volunteers take on the responsibilities of many by serving on multiple boards.

"A lot of times, you'll see the same faces on different boards," he said.

Ponikvar doesn't believe a lack of interest in potential volunteers is the problem.

"Most people, if you approach them, won't say no," he said. "Especially if they see a need or they have a passion on a certain subject or certain area, they're willing to give up their time."

Instead, he attributes the situation to societal changes.

"This is a fast world we live in today," he said. "People are very busy."

The key, he said, is reaching people trying to balance work, family and additional obligations.

"I think we need to actively go out and recruit," he said.

Randy Looper, Craig Rotary Club president, agrees. A recruitment program is something the group has been focusing on recently, he said.

"We've gone from targeting specific areas to pretty much anyone," he said.

The group's recruitment program includes inviting new residents to meetings and, in the future, providing membership packets.

"Just talking to them and inviting them isn't going to do a thing," he said.

Looper doesn't agree that the same people serve on local boards.

"I've heard people say that, but I haven't seen that," he said.

Looper volunteers at several organizations, including the Black Mountain Theatre and an area Cub Scout troop.

"There's a core group of people, but they're not doing everything," he said.

From Looper's perspective, more help at Rotary would be welcome, but it's not a necessity.

"We could always use more numbers, sure; we're a small club," he said, adding that 21 members currently are in the group, and most of the group's members are active.

Not all organization leaders have the same view.

Michael Toothaker, Horizons Specialized Services adult community coordinator, said he believes all area organizations could use more volunteers, including his own.

About three people volunteer monthly with Horizons, which serves individuals with developmental disabilities, he said, adding that this number has remained consistent for four years.

Toothaker would like to see five volunteers working at the agency on a weekly basis.

"I don't think we've made a strong enough (recruiting) effort" in Moffat County, Toothaker said, adding that area staff often don't have time to recruit new volunteers.

Another organization may have to rely on more drastic measures to increase its ranks.

If staffing at Craig Fire/Rescue reaches a point deemed unsafe by the district's board of directors and Bill Johnston, Craig Fire/Rescue chief, the department likely will change to a full-time career department, Johnston said.

Currently, serving as a firefighter in the Craig Rural Fire Protection District is like a part-time job, Johnston said. Firefighters are paid by the hour while responding to calls and taking certain trainings.

If the department goes to full-time employees, that could mean more money coming out of taxpayer's pockets.

Full-time firefighter wages and benefits would be paid by property taxes collected in the fire district, which encompasses about half of Moffat County and a portion of Routt County.

Salaries and benefits could cost between $300,000 and $400,000 annually, Johnston said.

Fire district officials are creating a staffing plan that will determine when staffing numbers become unsafe, Johnston said.

Currently, no completion date has been set for that study, he said.

Until that day comes - if it comes - firefighters will continue making ends meet with the staff they have.

That task isn't always easy.

"The day shift, it gets a little hairy," Johnston said, adding that fewer firefighters can respond to calls during the day while they are working at their primary jobs.

That worries Johnston.

"If I have a big fire on a regular workday, Monday through Friday," Johnston said, "I'm not sure how many firefighters I'm going to have.

"It makes me nervous."

Johnston attributed the staffing problem to time commitment necessary for firefighters.

A first-year firefighter must complete at least 250 hours of training, he said, and all firefighters must obtain state certification.

Economic changes in the past 20 years have turned many American families into two-income households, Johnston said, and many adults no longer have time for commitments outside of their jobs.

"We're asking them to give up almost all of their free time," Johnston said. "They don't want to do that."

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com