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12/11/2019 https://www.savmn.com/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/1556 https://www.savmn.com/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/1556 2/3 What St. Anthony community activities have you been involved in? 2016-Present Moundsview Irondale Youth Hockey Association Team Manager 2015 City of Lakes Youth Hockey Association Team Manager 2015 Carl Nowlin’s Benefit Planning Committee and Treasurer 2013-2019 St. Anthony Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2019 President 2015 President 2009-Present St. Anthony Kiwanis 2010-Present Community Services Committee Chair 2009-2015 St. Anthony Sister City Association Board of Directors 2009-2015 Treasurer 2009-Present St. Anthony New Brighton Family Services Collaborative 2009-Present Coordinator In 2016, initiated partnership with Racial Equity Minnesota which led to the grassroots development of St. Anthony Villagers for Equity and Community (SAVEC) 2008-2018 St. Anthony Parks Commission, Ex-Officio Member What skills or personal qualities do you possess that would make you valuable as a council member? I believe my active involvement in St. Anthony combined with my skills in listening, learning and problem solving would be a valuable asset to City Council. I value people and listening to their experiences to understand how each person perceives the world. I value learning and seeking multiple perspectives in order to make better decisions. I am a problem solver who recognizes the best solutions come from our practice of actively listening to those who are directly impacted. For example, in the fall of 2017, our Director of Special Education and I listened to several parents voice concerns about their experience with transportation the school district was providing for their children to attend early childhood special education programs. After several attempts to work with the contractor and improve the service to families, we developed a proposal for the School Board recommending the School District lease two vans, hire and train drivers. Our goal was to immediately improve the families’ experience for their children and the Board approved the plan. We are in our second year of school district staff creating relationships with parents and their children to safely transport young children to early childhood special education programs. Even more, we can ensure our families’ first experience with our school district is a positive one. How does your background add value to your role as a council member? As a community member, I believe St. Anthony Village is a great place to live. I also believe, as a City Council, we have an obligation to carry out the mission of St. Anthony Village, to be welcoming, progressive, and an inclusive community that is sustainable for future generations. As a parent, I believe St. Anthony Village is an excellent community in which to raise our children. I am grateful my children attend great schools, are cared for by their neighbors, and feel safe walking and biking to school and around St. Anthony. As an educator, I believe we have a responsibility to learn from our community in order to best serve our whole community. Our school district continues to examine and change our practices to ensure the success of all learners. I have also observed the strong working relationship between our City and School District and that partnership is valuable to our community. As a leader, I recognize the trust I have developed over time with our community members and families. I take that responsibility seriously every day and work to retain and enhance that trust. As the Director of Community Services for St. Anthony-New Brighton School District, I have the opportunity to interact with our families whose valuable time is spent raising young children. In my conversations with families, I listen to their needs and ideas and help seek out resources or support as requested.