Group dedicated to encouraging leaders chooses name
A group dedicated to encouraging Marshalltown residents to get involved has an official name — Diversity In Leadership.
During the Thursday night meeting, 11 people who attended decided on the name as a way to show their mission to bring new blood into community boards and committees. The group began meeting every other month starting in January.
Members Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez and Karina Hernandez said the group was created to see what people were interested in when it came to community involvement. Previous meetings would bring in 30 to 45 people interested, but back-to-school and other community happenings prevented more attendees on Thursday.
Gonzalez-Alvarez said they want to reach people who are not normally invited to serve on boards or committees or are hesitant to do so. Hernandez said the group, which speaks about different volunteer opportunities, is more relaxed.
“It sort of just came about,” she said. “It was a great turnout the first time, and it was a great representation of a lot of services in our community. Because we feel underrepresented when it comes to leadership positions in our community. A lot of people are interested in learning. This is baby steps and knowing what is out there, what the opportunities are and about the commitments.”
Gonzalez-Alvarez said it extends beyond Diversity In Leadership. Opportunities are discussed involving arts, elected boards and more.
“We want to make sure we have people who are interested and perhaps have never been asked to join,” she said. “Just being asked is a whole different level when it comes to community work. Sometimes we don’t feel like ‘I could do it,’ but when someone else tells you they think you are capable of doing these things, people tend to participate more.”
Gonzalez-Alvarez said the need for leadership is there, along with the want to join. So the group is a way to bring those needs and wants together. One way the group does that is share different volunteer positions available or soon-to-be available.
Hernandez, who serves on the Marshalltown school board, shared that some seats will be open and an election held in November. She said potential candidates will need to fill out an election form, obtain 50 signatures and turn the form in to District Director of Business Operations Randy Denham.
“I would love to see a more diverse board in our community,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be any of us . . . if you know of anybody.”
Marshalltown City Planner Hector Hernandez-Morales said a position is available on the Board of Adjustment. He said the member would ideally have knowledge of development and added that meetings of the board are as needed.
Besides board or committee positions, events and volunteer opportunities were also shared, such as:
A career expo on Oct. 4 at Marshalltown Community College. Different businesses have been invited.
Draws for Paws, a fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown on Saturday. Registered participants go to different bars offering drink specials benefiting the ARL.
Grab-A-Job on Sept. 25 at Iowa Workforce Development. Anyone can go to the office and get a bag full of different job opportunities to check.
The need for people to serve as “Bigs” for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Karina Hernandez said one subject previously discussed was the desire to not be an isolated group, which is why opportunities with different groups are shared.
“We want to meet and integrate,” she said. “I think that is the main group. That is why we share the volunteer opportunities available. That’s the biggest thing – being more inclusive.”
Gonzalez-Alvarez stressed Marshalltown has great leadership, but oftentimes leaders frequently travel from one board or committee to another. Hernandez agreed about seeing the same people serving consistently on a variety of boards. Now with a new generation old enough, she said it is time to help them get involved and make connections.
“I think it’s important to add new voices to those leadership roles,” Gonzalez-Alvarez said. “That’s why it’s important for people to be involved and be asked to be part of it.”
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.