The Waite Park Community Council (WPCC) invites all community members to attend and participate in its annual neighborhood meeting and board election from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
Due to COVID-19, the event will be held via Zoom. All attendees must register at https://tinyurl.com/wpcc2022
The event is an opportunity to meet your neighbors, hear from local elected officials, and learn about WPCC programs and volunteer opportunities, including the election of new board members and officers.
Our local elected officials, including Ward 1 City Council Member Elliott Payne, District 1 Parks Commissioner Billy Menz, County Commissioner Irene Fernando, State Sen. Kari Dziedzic, and State Rep. Sydney Jordan, will provide short updates on their recent priorities.
WPCC board members will update the neighborhood on the board’s accomplishments in 2021. They include drafting a plan to improve engagement with three underrepresented groups: renters, seniors, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC).
The board’s priorities for 2022 include building on the success of last year’s revived fall festival, as well as education and outreach to homeowners about hurtful and discriminatory racial covenants that remain in an estimated 200 housing deeds in our neighborhood.
WPCC is a volunteer-powered organization. We receive a small annual budget from the city to cover some administrative costs, but we depend on people giving their time and energy to make our programs and activities a success.
Any person 18 years or older residing, working, owning property or a business in the Waite Park neighborhood is invited to participate in the annual board election. The neighborhood’s boundaries are Central and Stinson avenues (between 37th Avenue and St. Anthony Parkway.)
This year’s election includes seven board of director positions. Each term lasts two years. Board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings on the last Thursday of the month. They are also strongly encouraged to participate in committees that make our programs and events happen, for a total volunteer commitment of about 5-10 hours per month.
In addition to filling seven board seats, members will also elect a president and vice president. The president is responsible for presiding over meetings and seeing that board orders and resolutions are carried out, as well as other administrative duties on behalf of the organization. The vice president shares similar duties in collaboration with the board and president.
To become a candidate for election to the board, eligible individuals need to be present at the meeting, express their interest, and provide a few words on how they would like to support the Waite Park community. Meeting participants will vote to elect candidates to the board.
The Waite Park Community Council is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and neighborhood. All are encouraged to attend and volunteer for a board seat, regardless of experience. Please join us at the table to create an inclusive neighborhood for everyone!
