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News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

City of Springfield Looking for Citizen Volunteers

Springfield Art Museum

Are you looking for a way to make a difference? The City of Springfield has put out a call for volunteers to serve on several boards and committees. KSMU’s Michele Skalicky talked with the city’s mayor and has more.

Applications are currently being accepted for openings on several citizen groups in the city.  There are openings on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Landmarks Board, the Traffic Advisory Board, the Art Museum Board, the Citizens Advisory Board for Community Development and the Citizens Sales Tax Oversight Committee. 

Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens says there are a lot of citizens working hard to make Springfield a good place to live.

"My predecessor, Jim O'Neal, used to say that we were governed by volunteers, managed by professionals," he said.

There are lots of ways to get involved--the City has more than 25 standing boards and commissions and many partnerships that require citizen involvement.  Stephens says, in all, there are more than 300 positions within the city that are filled by citizen volunteers.  And they vary greatly.

"The city is quite varied in its functional responsibilities.  We have an airport, we have a zoo, we have a cemetery, we have a park board, we own a utility, you know, so there are lots of opportunities--varied opportunities--for people to get involved," he said.

Requirements for the City’s standing boards and commissions vary. To learn more or to apply online, click here. Packets are also available in the City Clerk’s office on the fourth floor of the Busch Municipal Building.   

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.