Have you wanted to get involved more in our community, but aren’t sure how or what groups are out there? Good news! There is a new, small team of volunteers working on creating a volunteer database, connecting interested residents with projects and groups and organizations that help make Ivins such a great place to live.
On Thursday night, the Ivins City Council unanimously supported a proposal by two Ivins residents, Tiffany Wynn and Shauna Fisher to identify and leverage volunteers in the community. Their plan is to connect residents to volunteer opportunities and volunteer organizers to potential volunteers in the city. Something like the group in Carmel, called Carmel Cares.
They pointed out that Ivins residents already do a lot of volunteering that benefits the city, making Ivins a better place to live. But there’s a lack of connectivity for groups to reach out to people who want to volunteer and vice versa. By creating a central “meeting place” online, it will be easier for all of us to get involved in projects we care about.
This volunteer hub will magnify an already strong volunteerism culture in the city. Okay, “volunteer hub” isn’t exactly a catch name for this project is it? Tiffany and Shauna agree, so they are going to have a naming contest. Details will be in the March Ivins newsletter.
Tiffany and Shauna researched St. George’s volunteer website and the City of Carmel’s Carmel Cares organization. Carmel Cares has about 400 volunteers in a city less than half the size of Ivins.
Here’s an example of a volunteer program from Carmel:
Median Minders: Adopt, plant, and maintain your own median island, easement, or bump out. You can now have the power to transform your neighborhood into a Carmel treasure! You can do the work with our help or have your gardener do it for you. There are some basic rules to follow but you can still have fun expressing your Carmel creativity.
Carmel Cares
Thursday night was just the first step. There will be more information in the March Ivins newsletter, including how to participate in the naming contest. Watch for it on March 1st.
Shauna, Tiffany and Mike,
Great idea! Thank you.
The below email exchange for historical reference. No one ever got back to us regarding any point.
Karin & Geoff
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Mr. & Ms Wolfe, (ibid)
Thank you for your thoughtful email and your offer to help us. I’ll talk to our City Manager and Council about your idea and get back to you.
Mayor Hart
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January 4, 2021
Mr. Chris Hart
Mayor
Ivins City
55 N Main
Ivins UT 84738
Dear Mayor Hart:
Karin and I, new Ivins City residents within the past year, wish to express our appreciation for the Ivins City leadership, public safety and the various departmental staff for having created a positive environment not only in a physical sense, but also in a personal sense regarding our interactions with the Ivins City professionals. From receiving the “Ivins City News” and its helpful information to understanding the timing of utility bills to be processed, everyone has been positively engaging.
Noting your recent “Growing Pains” column and working through our Ivins City and associated new resident requirements, e.g., cable service, driver/vehicle licensing, utilities, etc., Karin and I offer to volunteer to participate in a new-to-Ivins resident group to assist newly arrived residents with their assimilation. We recognize that our value would dissipate after two years and thus would voluntarily rotate off.
If of value too, we have stopped to visit with the Black Desert Resort sales office. During our informative conversation, it was noted that there will be a westerly main access (guest, resident and shopping) at the Mustang roundabout. During our frequent experiences of accessing the roundabout from the northeasterly direction, we can report that the roundabout currently requires extraordinary caution; this based upon Snow Canyon’s designation as a major route, the two direction bicycle lanes and the pedestrian walkway. The need for extraordinary caution will be intensified with a non-visible and opposite-side access point. We are concerned that more Mustang roundabout side-access traffic will lead to a public safety issue.
If we may, a last item: Would you know when Ivins City will next be evaluating its electric power contract? If a new-to-Ivins resident group forms and we have the opportunity to participate, we can offer helpful awareness regarding selective representations made by Rocky Mountain Power.
The best to you, your family and Team Ivins City for 2021!
Karin & Geoff Woie
1500 E Split Rock Dr Unit 3
Ivins UT 84738