Volunteers needed for senior advisory committees

Members help plan and promote older adult programs

COMMERCE CITY, COLO. – The Commerce City Parks and Recreation Department is seeking individuals to participate on the 2012 senior advisory committees. The purpose of the committees is to advise department staff, serve as an information resource to program participants, assist with fundraising and provide outreach services.

Senior Advisory Outreach Committee members help older adults hooked on city programs and activities during annual neighborhood outreach meetings. Photo by Commerce City

“Committee members are extremely valuable to our staff in planning programs for older adults,” said Recreation Division Manager Karen O’Donnell. “We are seeking members of the community that represent a range of interests and activities. Active committee members will help Commerce City offer events and classes that support a Quality Community for a Lifetime.”

Individuals can participate in one of four senior advisory committees:

· Programs: This committee meets bimonthly to provide feedback, suggestions and program ideas, especially in advance of seasonal brochures. Members can submit new program ideas from other sources and may meet on special projects as needed for implementing new programs or changes.

· Outreach: This committee meets bimonthly to assist staff with planning, coordinating and leading outreach efforts to target older adults in Commerce City and Adams County. In the past, this committee participated in summer neighborhood outreaches, holiday dinners, and resource fairs to get the word out about programming.

· Health & Wellness: This committee meets bimonthly and provides suggestions and input on how to target older adults/seniors with the fitness and health programs provided by the department. Members can submit new program ideas from other sources and may meet on special projects as needed for implementing new programs or changes.

· Special Projects: This committee assists staff with special assignments that require a variety of tasks, such as meetings, retreats, volunteer responsibilities, evaluations, surveys, etc. Members meet on an as-needed basis depending on assignment.

Committee members will self-select representatives to serve on a new umbrella committee that will help improve communication among the various committees and serve as the public face of the department’s senior advisory committees.

Willing individuals should complete the interest form and volunteer application by Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. There is a maximum of nine participants per committee and individuals cannot serve on more than one committee per year, with the exception of the special projects committee. Selected participants will be contacted by Jan. 18 and begin serving a one year committee assignment.

Applications and interest forms are available at the Older Adult/Senior Center, 6060 E. Parkway Drive, or online at www.c3gov.com/seniors. Please contact Karen O’Donnell, recreation division manager at 303-289-3751 or kodonnell@c3gov.com with questions.