In the wake of hard budget times, the city wants to rethink how its community centers are operated. So, Seattle Parks and Recreation is looking for community members for its new Community Center Advisory Team.
Team members will attend meetings twice a month from January to May.
The team will be exploring innovative ideas for operating the City’s community centers. Team members will consider the way the centers currently operate, review what other cities are doing, consider alternative operating models, evaluate public input, and assess options for partnerships.
Ultimately the Advisory Team will review and provide advice on the report that Parks will submit to City Council by June 1, 2010. In addition to representatives from the general community, members of the Advisory Team will include representatives from the Board of Park Commissioners, representatives of employee unions, employees, the Associated Recreation Council, and City Council and City Budget Office staff.
Parks operates 26 community centers throughout the City that welcome nearly 700,000 participants a year. In conjunction with our non-profit partner, the Associated Recreation Council, Seattle’s community centers collectively operate the largest childcare program in the region. Most community centers are co-located with other facilities and services, such as schools, libraries, pools, playgrounds and playfields.
Parks is especially interested in those with past involvement with a community center, and those who are able to work in concert with others for the greater good. Please submit a statement (no more than 1,000 words total) addressing the following questions:
- How and where have you been involved with a community center?
- Please give an example of your most recent involvement.
- What will you bring to the table?
Please submit your statement via e-mail to Susan Golub: [email protected]. The deadline is Monday, January 10 at 5 p.m.
