Volunteers are necessary
By KRISTEN HOOPER
Peabody Main Street director
Peabody is a community with a strong and unique volunteer tradition. But as the number of organizations competing for people's time multiplies, every organization must work harder to create an interesting, rewarding experience for those willing to donate their time and talents.
For Peabody Main Street Association, a community-based organization, volunteers are its greatest asset. Volunteers created the backbone of the Main Street organization by staffing committees, manning events and activities, making decisions, and striving for the future of the organization.
Over the years, volunteers have included business owners, community leaders, and active citizens. These volunteers have invested time into an organization because its mission, "to achieve ongoing downtown revitalization through the preservation of its historic character and unique cultural and architectural integrity based upon the concentrated efforts of design, economic development, promotion, and organization," is something they believe in and whose goals are similar to their own, the growth and success of the City of Peabody.
Each volunteer has committed themselves to one of the four committees that Main Street offers: organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. Each committee plays an important role in the success of the organization.
These four committees have often been referred to as the wheels that allow the Peabody Main Street Association vehicle to keep moving forward. If one of the committees is lacking, everything is affected. The bases of the organization depend on the volunteers whom without no progress would ever be accomplished.
Currently Peabody Main Street Association has positions available for committee members on each of the committees.
*Organization involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program.
*Promotion sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play, and invest in the Main Street district. These actions improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.
*Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets and creating an inviting atmosphere. This committee conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer.
*Economic Restructuring strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base and helps boost the profitability of the district.
Each committee has different responsibilities but all have one goal: to revitalize downtown.
Peabody Main Street Association would like to thank all of the volunteers who have in the past or currently are volunteering their time to our organization. Without your efforts none of the success of Main Street would be possible.
If you would like to help maintain tradition and your goal is to help see the City of Peabody succeed by applying your talents, join one of the Main Street committees.
Contact Kristen Hooper, director of Peabody Main Street Association, at 620-983-2174 for more information.
