Be Involved
The Corporation for National and Community Service has a Web site encouraging citizens to contribute to their communities. It includes information for individuals and organizations, explanations of special programs, and a resource center for volunteer and service programs.
Volunteers are needed now more than ever as many nonprofit organizations struggle to provide vital resources during times of financial strain. You can make a huge difference by offering a few hours of your time, support, and encouragement to those groups.
Here is a sample of some area organizations that can use volunteer help:
- Habitat for Humanity
- United Way of the Ozarks
- Ozarks Food Harvest
- The Kitchen
- Ozark Greenways
- OATS
- Community Partnership of the Ozarks
- Springfield-Greene County Library
- Springfield Public Schools
- The Directory -- a listing of 900 nonprofit clubs, agencies and organizations in the Springfield metropolitan area
Another way to contribute to your community is to attend city and county meetings or to join local civic groups that serve Springfield and Greene county. If you are interested in helping shape the growth of your community, attending and contributing at these meetings can be a way to show your support for or concern about matters that will affect you.
Springfield City Council meetings are open to the public and citizens may speak on agenda items by following these procedures. Meetings take place every other Monday at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 830 Boonville. There may also be an opportunity for you to serve on committees that work with various city departments.
The Greene County Commission governs ordinances, resolutions, and policies for the county, as well as overseeing the various county departments. Meetings usually take place the first Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. There are also multiple opportunities for serving on a Greene county board.
Several other groups offer volunteer opportunities for service to the community, but may include membership requirements such as an invitation or sponsorship by an existing member, yearly dues or other financial obligation. Among these community-minded organizations are Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Lions and Sertoma clubs, and Junior League of Springfield.
Stay informed about events and issues in the community by visiting these sites:
- Community Matters
- City View
- Springfield News-Leader
- Springfield Business Journal
- Community Free Press
- Republic Monitor
Library books to help inspire you to be more involved in your community:
- The busy family's guide to volunteering : do good, have fun, make a difference as a family!
- The give-back solution : create a better world with your time, talents, and travel (whether you have $10 or $10,000)
- Chicken soup for the volunteer's soul : stories to celebrate the spirit of courage, caring and community
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=514