The cherry trees are blossoming, ducks are paddling in any significant puddle of water they can find, and the sun sets after 6pm once again. It’s spring, and time for the Capitol Hill Community Council to look ahead to our 2010 elections on June 17th, and even before that, the deadlines for candidate nominations on May 20th.
The Capitol Hill Community Council has done a lot in its second year since being reestablished. We saw the planning for John and Summit Park come to completion and we construction’s about to begin, we’re running a successful Complete Streetcar Campaign, and our constituency willing, we’ll soon be creating a joint TOD committee with the Chamber of Commerce. If any of the things I just mentioned sound exciting to you, I encourage you to run in this year’s Community Council election. If you’re into making the neighborhood great, ensuring community voices get heard at City Hall and Design Review Meetings, and you’re inordinately fond of talking to lots of people and going to lots of meetings, I encourage you to run as well.
Here’s the nitty gritty: anyone who lives, works, owns land or a business or volunteers on Capitol Hill is a voting member of the Community Council and can run for any of the seven officers positions on the Council: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 3 Representative positions. We are taking nominations (by the candidate’s self or by someone else) by email [chcc.officers(at)gmail.com] and in person at our April 15th and May 20th public/general meetings at the Cal Anderson Shelterhouse from 7-9pm. Our elections will take place on June 17th, same time and place.
Now a disclaimer: being an officer takes a lot of time and commitment. As President, I easily put in 10 hours a week in meetings, communicating via email or phone, and doing research and writing for our current projects. Hong Chhuor would tell you that’s about the same amount of time he puts in as Vice President and that it’s only a little less for the rest of our officers. The Council not only asks for time, but great people and writing skills and the organizing and policy experience to be able to hit the ground running with our projects as the year starts.
The trade-off is making amazing things happen and ensuring that Capitol Hill will have the first say in what happens to Capitol Hill. The question is: does that sound like a good trade to you?
Continuity is a wonderful thing in volunteer organizations, particularly one (such as CHCC) that has recently reinvented itself. Will any of the present officers be candidates?
The progression from Vice President to President is a good way to do that, should the President be unable to run again.
I don’t recall any term limits in the bylaws.
I have, BTW, been most impressed by everything that the Community Council and its hardworking officers have achieved. The Council’s voice will be vital during the ongoing light rail construction on Broadway.
Thomas Whittemore, our new “Little City Hall” staff member ( http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2010/03/29/new-capitol-hil) should be a great help in all CHCC efforts.
“…creating a joint TOD committee with the Chamber of Commerce.”
signed,
I am not afraid to ask and risk look silly for not knowing
Transport (Transit?) Oriented Development (Design?).
I’ve asked and complained about this acronym several times, and am relieved to see that I’m not the only one!
This is an oft repeated mistake. The insider working group resorts to its jargon and thinks we all get it.
Happens a lot when dealing with city, county and state agencies.
It is not good communication to the masses. Hint, hint to the Community Council.
And, yes, for sure the council is doing good work. Remember – all volunteer – no paycheck for organizing.
Sorry Jeanine, thanks Coffee. TOD = Transit-Oriented Development. It’s a broad term (building up areas around transit hubs) that in this case means “whatever the heck is going to get built on top of the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station site”. Because Sound Transit, a public agency, will be the one to put together the long-term lease for potential developer(s)for the site, the community might have a chance to influence TOD by convincing ST to listen to our contract suggestions. It’s not easy work, hence why the Chamber and the Council are working on doing a team-up to lead the neighborhood charge.
I agree with you Andrew – continuity is a beautiful thing. The Community Council has a number of projects on the table that will outlast the Council year. Unfortunately for my fans, I got into grad school and won’t be running for President again next year. I will, however, likely run for a Rep position in order to keep my hand in and serve as an advisor. As for everyone else, you’ll just have to ask them.
To continue the topic of continuity: if you’re interested in taking on officership and you’re not already involved with the Community Council, start now. I guarantee you that next year’s officers will need to hit the ground running and it will help immeasurably if you already know what CHCC is up to before you get elected.