What Is the Urbandale Community Action Council?
The Urbandale Community Action Council is a non-profit corporation made
up of twelve volunteers
interested in the continued growth of Urbandale and the well-being of its
citizens. Council members serve rotating three-year terms. Members are
selected via an application process held in June of each year.
What Does the Action Council Do?
The Action Council recognizes those things that make a community strong:
close neighborhoods, wonderful recreation areas, easy access to local
leaders, and willingness to help those in need. Through grant writing,
volunteer recruitment and leadership development, the Action Council serves
as a coordinating body for ideas and organizations committed to improving
life in Urbandale.
History of the Action Council.
In the late 1990’s, the City of Urbandale conducted a series of
community focus groups through a process called "Imagine Urbandale". Three
primary issues emerged from that study. The Action Council was formed to
serve as an “incubator” for these issues; to see them take shape and become
forces for change on their own.
After conducting a similar process in 2003, the Urbandale Community
Action Council has today helped breathe life into a number of community
based groups currently in existence.
Action Council Initiatives
Community Center – Charged with gathering input on a proposed
community center, the project team and the city commissioned a study in
2002. A number of proposals are currently under consideration.
Leadership Urbandale –This program is designed to increase
community awareness and involvement while improving participants'
leadership skills. Classes meet once a month for eight months and include
sessions on the history of Urbandale, local government, economic
development, Character Counts!, education and arts and entertainment.
Caring Corps – This volunteer, non-profit organization promotes
Neighbors Helping Neighbors so that Urbandale will grow as a caring,
connected community.
The Caring Corps provides clients with transportation
assistance, grocery shopping, errands and yard work. They also deliver
Thanksgiving meals and Christmas meals and presents to those in need.
Beautification Committee – This committee sponsors the
Adopt-A-Trail Program. Volunteers ensure that many miles of
biking/walking trails in this community remain an asset by keeping them
clean and well-maintained.
Character Counts! – This committee is charged with taking the
Character Counts! program to the entire community. The program now
includes our schools, youth and sports organizations, civic and service
groups and city government.
Diversity Committee – This growing committee is working to
celebrate and promote understanding of the diverse cultures within the
Urbandale Community. They have sponsored educational opportunities on
local cultures and organized Urbandale's first Global Village event.
Strengthening Neighborhoods – This committee is striving to
protect and preserve the small town feel of Urbandale. A
Neighborhood
Event Tool Kit helps to build cohesiveness among neighborhoods.
Special Events Committee – This new group is helping to organize
special events within Urbandale.
Get Involved!
Volunteering
The Urbandale Community Action Council and its many initiatives
operate entirely on a volunteer basis (with the exception of the Caring
Corps, which now has a part-time paid director.) Volunteers are vital to
the continued success of these groups as they strive to make Urbandale a
great place to live and work. Many of the committees meet monthly and are
open to the public. To learn more about meeting times and dates,
please contact Kris Winter at
kawinter@aol.com or 515.251.7473.
Anyone may join a committee at anytime.
Applications
to serve on the Action Council are accepted anytime. Please contact
Kris Winter at
kawinter@aol.com or 515.251.7473.
Tax Deductible Donations
The programs run by the Urbandale Community Action Council and its
various committees would not be possible without generous donations. While
one of the functions of the Action Council is grant writing, grants do not cover
all of the expenses. Fundraising events and individual contributions help to
close the funding gap in many instances. As a 501(c)(3) organization, cash
contributions to the Urbandale Community Action Council are tax
deductible. You may send your contributions to: The Urbandale Community
Action Council, P0 Box 7615, Urbandale, IA 50322.
Contact the Action Council
The Urbandale Community Action Council
P0 Box 7615
Urbandale, IA 50322
Kris Winter, Action Council President
kawinter@aol.com or 515.251.7473