Are you been looking for a way to get a bit more involved in Olympia?
I have always enjoyed volunteering, thanks to my Mom & Dad and their encouragement in my childhood. But I had a hard time fitting Volunteering in between demands of personal time and a busy work schedule. And I really wanted to find something where I could use the skills I have.
So I was quite happy to find the Advisory Boards. A perfect fit for me!
These Boards review projects or help formulate plans and give citizen feedback to the Council and the departments that are responsible for that bit of the City.
The city of Olympia is currently (until February 25th) accepting Applications to fill the vacancies on the following Boards:
Arts Commission - 3 positions
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee - 3 positions
Design Review Board - 3 positions
Heritage Commission - 5 positions
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee - 3 positions
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee - 4 positions
Planning Commission - 3 positions
Utility Advisory Committee - 3 positions
(I serve on the Design Review Board.)
The application and more information is available at the Advisory Board page on the City of Olympia Website.
Some of the available spots require a specific skillset- like Architect, but the majority of the spots are for any Citizen of Olympia.
We are really blessed to live in a community like Olympia, Washington. Citizen activism is pretty high, the City has embraced technology to communicate to the people, and our elected officials are not afraid to rely on the experience of the people! As Olympians, we are actively encouraged to get involved, and I am very happy I decided to apply for the DRB. It is a commitment of time, but very worth it.
Of course, if you live in other areas, like Lacey or Tumwater or Shelton, or out in the countryside of Thurston County or Mason County, these communities are looking for help too! Get ahold of me and I can help you find that information.
UPDATED LINK (I can't believe I forgot this!)
If you are from somewhere other than the Olympia area, and you looking for different ways to volunteer, please don't overlook these sites:
http://www.volunteermatch.org/ and http://1-800-volunteer.org/
Both sites are Nationwide.
You simply identify your location and your interests and it matches you with the Need in your area. Go look today!
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Hi Sarah,
Nice post! I think if I lived close to Olympia I would spend a lot of time listening to the House and Senate. As I write this, it seems like a good goal would be to move there. Since I have been working on trying to get a law like Katie's Law into Washington State politics has come alive.
Sarah,
Being an active part of the community you work in is vital to your personal growth and also your business growth.....good luck
Thanks Leslie & Dan,
Olympia is a great place to live. A very friendly place, where it is pretty easy to meet people if you aren't afraid to jump in. And a lot of very involved people too. I had not heard about Katie's Law Leslie, thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Sarah, What a great localism post... Giving back to the community is a great investment....
Great localism post! I love the photo! What is the domed building in the background? City Hall? I love the look of the water...so placid.
Thanks Jim,
That photo is the Washington State Capitol. ANd you are actually seeing 2 buildings- the Dome is on the Capitol building, which is hidden by the Legislative Building that fronts to the Bluff, which overlooks Capitol Lake (not visible).
I took the photo at a VERY high tide from the public docks in downtown- Percival Landing at the south end of Budd Inlet (saltwater). I got some really nice photos that day, and will be using them in a few blogs in the nearish future.
The Capitol Building is probably 12 blocks away from where I was standing- a quarter mile or 20 minute walk?
Sarah,
Volunteering is a great way to be active in the community. Another worthwhile organization which is in need of volunteers is Habitat for Humanity. I also love the photo of the Capitol with the colorful fall foliage.
Sandy