Hello Lansdowne,
Hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the summer!
I wanted to spend this month talking about volunteering. If you have not heard, everything that goes on in Lansdowne happens because you all volunteer to help run them or plan them or both. However, most times we seem to get the same people volunteering for everything… so we are trying to infuse our faithful band of volunteers with some new blood. Maybe you’ve always wanted to get involved but weren’t sure where to start. Maybe you suddenly have more time. Maybe you are new to the area. Whatever the reason we would love for you to be part of the small battalion of people that help make things happen in this town!
Lansdowne has many local organizations that offer both volunteer opportunities and available board seats…and they cover a myriad of interests!
What is the difference between a volunteer and a board member?
A volunteer can find something to do at any level…whether for a one-time or annual event, like Arts on the Avenue, the 5K, or even as one of our Jingle Judges, or as a regular commitment to an on-going event, like the Lansdowne Farmers Market. It’s also a great way to make new friends and feel like part of the life in our town.
Being a board member is usually more involved, and a higher level of commitment. It would require attending scheduled meetings and potentially require some homework or follow-up.
For borough-appointed board seats, you need to submit a letter of interest, followed by an interview with the current borough council board members. Despite the work it is a fantastic and rewarding way to really make an impact on your town!
Ready to sign up? Here are some opportunities currently available right now!
The Mayor’s Clean and Green Team – this is an initiative that I started a few months ago. It takes place in a different part of town on the first Sunday of the month at 11am. It is a lot of work to keep this town clean and I would love some volunteers to help make it happen. For more information, please feel free to contact me.
The Animal Friends of Lansdowne (AFL) are in search of volunteers and foster caregivers. Fosters save lives by allowing us to rescue animals off the street--without them, this could not happen! A spare room and lots of love are all that is needed. There are many different volunteer activities, from hands-on such as trapping and transporting animals for surgeries and vet care, event assistance, and computer/administrative duties. Opportunities can be tailored to the strengths and desires of any volunteer. Volunteers must be 18 and over or will require parent participation. For more information, please call 484-463-1277.
The Lansdowne Arts Board is in search of board members as well as volunteers. Board members help with things like show planning, marketing, and event planning. Volunteers would help during shows and can offer times that they can sit during open hours at 2020 House. For more information, visit our boards and commissions page here.
The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) Arts on the Avenue is coming soon and the LEDC is looking for volunteers throughout the day for set up, booth work and take down. For more information contact Deborah Brodeur at 610-745-4063, Volunteer Coordinator Jayne Young (youngj@lansdowneborough.com) or just sign up here!
Lansdowne Boys and Girls Club (LBGC) is looking for volunteer coaches. You don’t have to have a sports background. You don’t even have to have kids! If you would like more information, you may email lansdowneboysandgirlsclub@gmail.com
Lansdowne Parks and Recreation is looking for board members. If the parks in town are your passion this is the place you want to be. For more information, visit our boards and commissions page here.
Shade Tree Commission is looking for new board members. This commission works to promote the conservation and stewardship of trees throughout the town. They are also known by many for providing free trees to help keep us a tree town. For more information, visit our boards and commissions page here.
Youth Aid Panel – Lansdowne is a proud participant in Youth Aid Panel. The panel is organized by The Center for Resolution. The Youth Aid Panel program has been in existence since 1997 and works with first time juvenile offenders. A Youth Aid Panel (YAP) empowers a community to participate in problem-solving in its neighborhood. Youth Aid Panels are not a part of the juvenile justice system but consist of trained volunteer community members. Panelists are screened by the local police departments and trained by the staff of Center for Resolutions (training is 8 hours and takes place over 4 days in the evening). If you would like to get involved, you can apply to be a volunteer here!
Planning Commission - this commission presents and makes recommendations to the governing body concerning zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, subdivisions, land development, building codes and housing codes of the Borough. Members of the Planning Commission serve four-year terms and deliver work product, recommendations, and guidance to the Economic Development Committee of Borough Council. For more information, visit our boards and commissions page here.
Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB): The Historic Architectural Review Board ("HARB") makes recommendations to Borough Council regarding the advisability of issuing any Certificate of Appropriateness ("COA") required to be issued in the Designated HARB District of the Borough (CBD). For more information, visit our boards and commissions page here.
If something listed here caught your eye, please consider volunteering. Contributing to your community is sometimes work but always fulfilling. As always, I am available if you want to talk more about these opportunities – I volunteered for a long time before being Mayor and am happy to answer questions or just talk about my experience. Email the Mayor