For the second year, Knox County’s Community Development Department will ask citizen volunteers to review grant applications and make recommendations to County Commission on amounts of award for the annual community grants. Last year, 36 volunteers worked through the complete process, forming five panels that reviewed 143 applications and ultimately allocated $2 million. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale applauded last year’s panelists for participating in their government in this way, saying, “Those who volunteered made a great contribution. Their efforts were very much appreciated.”
At the conclusion of the process, the Community Development Department surveyed panelists and grant applicants. Based on that feedback, the Department has made several adjustments, including capping the request amount at $50,000 and limiting the number of requests an agency can submit to three.
This year, volunteers will again serve on one of five panels: health, seniors/veterans; social services; tourism/culture and youth services. Based on last year’s work, panel members can anticipate spending up to 40 hours for the full process, including orientation, reviewing applications, and attending panel meetings and agency interview sessions. Traci Tassey, who was a member of last year’s social services panel, said the experience was an “exceptional opportunity” that was “thoroughly enjoyable and educational.”
The goal of the Citizen Review Panel is to effectively and responsibly distribute Community Grant funds to support critical community programs. Panelists must be Knox County residents who are age 18 or older and who have a working knowledge of or professional qualifications in arts, culture, tourism, health, senior and veteran services, youth programs, social services, non-profit management, and/or public/private partnerships. Panelists must be willing to commit time and energy to the review process and exhibit sensitivity in making constructive critical judgments.
Panelists are not compensated for their time, expenses or service. If selected to serve, panelists must attend orientation training.
Volunteer applications and more information about the process are available from the Knox County website at www.knoxcounty.org/citizenreviewpanels or by calling 865-215-3980. Applications must be received by the Community Development Department no later than Monday, December 1, 2008.
