Parker proclaims commitment to volunteerism, highlights JustServe partnership and Mayor’s Day of Service

Parker Town Council on Aug. 4 approved a proclamation committing the town to promote volunteerism and encouraging residents to use the online platform JustServe.org to find opportunities, the council said. The proclamation, introduced by Councilmember Laura (first name given in the meeting as “Laura”), notes JustServe is a free platform sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has facilitated roughly 165,000 community service projects nationwide since 2012 and has been active in Parker for about 10 years. The mayor and council said the town’s “Mayor’s Day of Service” will be held Sept. 6 at Cottonwood Park West starting at 9 a.m., organized by Sean Gann with JustServe and the town. Why it matters: The proclamation frames volunteer outreach as a way to strengthen civic ties and connects a local volunteer day to a national platform that can centralize opportunities, which town officials said should make it easier for residents to engage. Council discussion and action: Council removed the item from consent for separate consideration and then approved the proclamation after brief remarks from the council. The motion to approve the proclamation was moved by Councilmember Dyack and seconded by Hendricks; the roll call recorded votes from Hendricks (yes), Barrington (yes), Wilkes (aye), Dyack (yes), Franzen (yes) and Hefta (yes). The council recorded the passage and the proclamation was set to be signed and recorded. Context and background: Council members noted previous local uses of JustServe, including prior Mayor’s Day of Service events and examples of projects (the prior year’s cleanup at Salisbury Park was cited). Staff said physical information and online materials would be made available so residents can find details about volunteer opportunities and the proclamation’s language would be published with the clerk’s office materials. What’s next: The town expects the Sept. 6 event to be open to all residents, with water and shade tents planned; town officials said additional outreach materials will be posted on the town website and available in printed form at the clerk’s office for residents without internet access.