Historical March 1996 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Are you block captain material?
If you . . . • take pride in where you live • want to know your neighbors better • can contribute your time to enhance the security of your block • like helping people this is a volunteer career opportunity you can’t afford to miss. Skinker DeBaliviere has long enjoyed a cooperative, supportive grassroots organization known as “block captains.” A core group of dedicated volunteers has provided countless hours – and sometimes plain old muscle-power – to make our neighborhood more beautiful, safe, and secure. Through the years, however, this volunteer structure has sprouted branches and variations that sometimes have caused confusion and less than perfect communication. What is a block captain? Who is your block captain? How can you get involved?
First, there are several different kinds of block captains. At various times, programs like Operation Brightside, public school safety projects, the Urban League, The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere and even some churches have created “block captain” structures. Frequently, one person who was/is the “block captain” has worked as the block captain on more than one of these programs.
The block captains the Skinker. DeBaliviere Community Council is currently recruiting are asked to do the following: • Act as a communication link between the Council and residents on the block (includes delivering flyers). • Coordinate Operation Brightside Blitz Day for the block. • Assist with security activities on the block. • Organize National Night Out.
If possible, we additionally ask our block captains to hold a minimum of two block unit meetings a year (this can be a formal meeting in a home or at the SDCC office, a back yard barbecue, pot-luck supper, whatever you choose).
We also ask that our block captains attend one or two block captain meetings at the SDCC office and serve as a contact and conduit between your block’s residents and the Council.
As are all residents, block captains are welcome and urged to attend Council meetings and any special neighborhood meetings focusing on a particular issue and to share that information with their neighbors. Currently, Amy Gronquist, our AmeriCorps volunteer, and Maggie Hart-Mahon, Treasurer of SDCC, -are working to expand our block captain network.
Please contact them through the SDCC office, 862-5122, with questions and comments or to volunteer. Updates on our success at recruiting, information on training, and special recognition for blocks/ block captains achievements will be discussed in future issues of The Times.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1996.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1996_03.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
