APC community gathers for the Town Hall and a holiday celebration

This past Sunday, December 18th Alameda Point Collaborative residents, staff, and board members gathered for the biannual Town Hall to vote and discuss important issues. The Town Hall is one of the essential components of the Community Engagement-Governance™ model that APC adopted this past summer to involve residents and staff in strategic decision making of the agency.

Residents, staff, and board members voted to allocate a budget to a new trash compactor and to design a three to five year plan for the agency. Attendees raised questions and initiated discussion to better inform their decisions. Longtime volunteers Herb Behrstock and Dorie Guess Behrstock served as neutral vote talliers.

The Town Hall also re-introduced the Community Engagement-Governance™ model to the community. The Community Improvements, Services Planning & Evaluation, Fundraising & Events, and Leadership Development & Community Organizing teams highlighted their accomplishments of the year and goals for the future. Several resident members and co-chairs of these teams were recognized for their outstanding involvement and leadership in the Community Engagement-Governance™ process. Teams then led brainstorm groups so other attendees could familiarize themselves with their respective goals and plans.

A holiday celebration followed the Town Hall organized by volunteers from several local churches. Cora Luber from 3rd Hand Ministry coordinates volunteers from her own church and Grace Alameda Church and Bay Area Chinese Bible Church to organize and cook monthly community breakfasts at APC and the annual holiday celebration.

The great holiday party that featured a delicious feast, a DJ, Christmas carols, gift baskets, children’s crafts, and holiday photos! None of this would have been possible without Luber’s coordination and the deication of volunteers from 3rd hand Ministry, Grace Alameda Church, Bay Area Chinese Bible Church, Halau Makana-Alameda, Alameda Christian Reformed Church, Love Fellowship Church, and Calvary Alameda. Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers!