It’s that time of year again when we’re making appointments and reappointments to the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners.
As Chair of the City Council Parks and Seattle Center Committee, I just wanted to share my philosophy the Board.
I’ll be posting this on my web site in some more formal location soon, but I thought I’d just get my thoughts out there now:
- I encourage board members who are effective and successful in a first term to apply for reappointment to a second term – they are likely to be reappointed.
- In the interests of diversity and making the positions available to as many members of the public as possible, I believe that board members should not serve more than two terms.
- I believe that the Board should be composed of individuals with a diversity of backgrounds and experience. Experience with fostering broad civic participation is helpful. (Past members who have been successful have had backgrounds as diverse as Finance, Law, Conservation, Business, Youth Advocacy, and Human Services.)
I believe that collectively, Board members should:
- Possess an understanding of diverse neighborhoods and communities served by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of community and public service;
- Possess good communication and decision-making skills.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the programs and activities of Seattle Parks and Recreation.
For more information on the Park Board, see their website.