ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
Positions available: Ordinary people needed to work without pay in important but sometimes thankless jobs. No benefits, except those you provide for the welfare of the city. Long hours, some headaches possible. Apply at city hall.
* * *
The above “ad” hasn’t run yet-probably for good reason. But the City of Hillsboro is again looking for several noble volunteers to work on city committees and boards, according to Mayor Delores Dalke.
One opening was recently filled on the Historical Society Board, but volunteers are still needed for the Convention & Visitors Bureau Board, the Recreation Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
“Those are the areas we need help with right now, but if anybody has an interest in any of the other boards, I’d like to hear from them so I can get their name for whenever there might be an opening,” Dalke said. “They occur on a regular basis.”
It falls on Dalke’s shoulders as mayor to find people to serve on the 10 committees and boards that serve Hillsboro and the surrounding area.
The other bodies are the Public Library Board of Directors, Housing Authority, Tree Board, Community Planning and Development Commission, Airport Board, and as local representatives to the Marion Economic Development Council.
“I ask people, but sometimes I don’t know who is out there who would like to do those things, so consequently we’re always looking,” Dalke said.
She said residents interested in working with city boards and committees don’t have to wait to be asked. They can submit their names at any time.
During a previous time when several volunteers were needed, Dalke sent out a letter to all residents.
“I got a half a dozen out of that and got some very good volunteers,” she said.
Dalke said the work may not be glamorous, but it is important for the community.
“What makes Hillsboro such a great town is the number of people who are willing to volunteer and give their time to make Hillsboro a better community,” she said. “Each of these committees and boards have a different function, and without them we wouldn’t have the things we do.”
Each board has guidelines for the length of a member’s term, and how many consecutive terms can be served.
Some openings arise as volunteers complete their term, but Dalke said other members resign for various other reasons, like job changes.
“Each one of them is a unique situation, for whatever reason,” she said. “At the same time, we have a lot of people who have volunteered for many years.”
Residents interested in volunteering can contact Dalke directly, or leave their name and preference at the city office.
