County committees looking for volunteer members
Forsyth County has a wide variety of committee positions open for those willing to serve.
Those interested can apply online at the county’s website. People are appointed to serve by the county commissioners. Committees give residents an opportunity to directly participate in the various functions of local government.
“Having citizen input into those processes is valuable and keeps you from having a staff-driven, insular view of everything,” said County Manager Dudley Watts.
Some positions have been vacant for months because no one has applied. The Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee has the most vacancies, since its currently seeking 15 appointments, most of which have been open since late last year. The committee acts as a link between adult care facilities and the community, with a goal of improving the lives of long-term care residents. Committee members visit those living in the county’s 31 Adult Care Homes and five Family Care Homes to apprise the conditions and establish a rapport with residents, families, staff and administrators there.
Ashley Marcolivio, the PTRC long-term care ombudsman who works with the committee, said that there are currently only five active members, so they haven’t visited that many facilities this year.
Applicants for the Adult Care Home committee must be at least 18 years old and live in Forsyth County. They cannot have a family member in a facility served by the committee nor can they be an employee of or have a financial stake in one. The committee meets quarterly on the first Thursday in March, June, September and December at 6 p.m. at Polo Recreation Center.
Other committees looking for volunteers are:
• Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee, a similar committee that serves Nursing Homes, is seeking seven appointments.
• Animal Control Advisory Board has an opening for a county resident who does not own a companion animal. There’s also a position for the county health director, which the county is conducting a job search for.
• Coalition for Drug Abuse Prevention has appointments available for a business and religion representative.
• Commission on Ending Homelessness has an opening for a mental health representative.
• Community Child Protection Team/Child Fatality Prevention Team has an opening for a parent of a child who died before they were 18 years old.
• Consolidated Human Services Board, a new board combining the Social Services and Public Health boards, has openings for a social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist and one opening that’s either at large or for a consumer of Human Services.
• Emergency Management Advisory Council has appointments available for two general members.
• Forsyth County Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Council has an opening for a service recipient and two other open positions.
• Forsyth County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council has openings for a juvenile defense attorney and a person under 18 years old who is a member of the State Youth Council.
• Kaleideum Board of Directors has two appointments available.
• Library Board has two appointments available.
• Tourism Development Authority is looking for a hotel/motel owner or operator with 100 or more rental units.
Information on committees and applications for all positions can be found under “Volunteer Opportunities” on the right side of the county’s website at www.co.forsyth.nc.us. The deadline to apply is Sept. 5 at 5 p.m.
