Nothing nurtures a loyal passion for your community more than getting involved in it. Fountain Hills is a young community, yet it has already attained a rich depth of culture that is usually only found in older communities. This is the result of hundreds of residents giving of their time, talents, and resources to continually make this a better place to live. Few have had the opportunity to serve as town officials, but many have joined committees or boards that have transformed our town into this unique gem in the desert.
Did you know that the Town of Fountain Hills has over 900 people who volunteer in various ways throughout the year? This does not include those who volunteer through the various service organizations and our Chamber of Commerce! Think about what our town would look like without their generous contributions. Have you found your place in our community? Here are some suggestions to get you started:
JOIN A CLUB
There is no shortage of club options in Fountain Hills, whether it be a cultural, service, or special interest club. Here is a small representation of clubs that might be of interest to you:
SPECIAL INTEREST CLUBS
SERVICE CLUBS
CULTURAL CLUBS
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
FOUNDATIONS
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Nearly every entity in Fountain Hills functions either fully or partially due to the generous contributions of their volunteers. There is a volunteer opportunity to fit every person’s interests in this community. Here are a few examples:
ATTEND TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS & SPEAK UP
The most effective way to understand what’s happening in our community is to attend Town Council meetings. They are held on the 1
st and 3
rd Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 PM, with work-study sessions on the 2
nd Tuesday of the month when needed. Agendas are posted to the town’s website the day before, and minutes posted after. If you have an opinion to share about an issue on the agenda, you can fill out a card when you enter the Council Chambers to express your opinion and even request to speak at the appropriate time. Residents may also request to speak during “A Call to the Public” about any issue they choose. When you have a complaint or suggestion, this is an effective way to voice it
. Click here for more information. Residents may attend Council meetings virtually during COVID-19, while Town buildings are closed to the public.
JOIN THE FOUNTAIN HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The
Chamber of Commerce is deeply involved in the life of our community. Not only do they provide support for local business owners and employees, but they also host a number of community functions: Fountain Festival of Arts & Crafts, Community Expo (featuring local businesses), Thanksgiving Day Parade and Stroll in the Glow (downtown Christmas lighting event).
JOIN THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Do you see yourself as a future community leader? The best way to get a front-row seat to see how our entire town functions and what it takes to maintain a sustainable and lively community is to participate in the Fountain Hills Leadership Academy. Once a year, participants experience eight weeks of behind-the-scenes tours and presentations from the Sanitary District, Youth & Senior Services, all our schools, and so much more. It culminates with a graduation ceremony where participants present a community project idea of their choosing to community leaders. The Leadership Academy has been instrumental in preparing the next generation of community leaders, many of whom go on to serve on various boards and committees. This program has gained tremendous respect from the entire community and has been successful in propelling dozens of residents into vital leadership roles in Fountain Hills.
TAKE UP A CAUSE
Want to know a secret? So many of the things we treasure in this community came about because someone had a passion to see that thing happen. The wall that separates the playground from the pump house at Fountain Park has a beautifully painted mural done by school children because of someone’s passion. Same goes for the Low-Water Demonstration Garden. Or the pedestrian tunnel that goes under Golden Eagle Boulevard that was painted by the Girl Scouts. Public Art, Dark Sky designation, a splash pad, the Lake Overlook hiking trail, all of these were birthed out of the heart of a resident. What is our passion? What is that one thing you keep thinking the town should do? Maybe YOU could be the one to take up that cause! If this is you, reach out to the
Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Association.
BECOME A MEMBER OF FOUNTAIN HILLS CULTURAL & CIVIC ASSOCIATION
The
Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Association brings together various cultural and civic organizations in our community under one roof. Did you know that Fountain Hills was the 17
th community in the world to earn dark sky designation from the International Dark Sky Association? This happened through the efforts of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, one of the numerous organizations partnered with “I Love Fountain Hills”. Other organizations include the community garden, the public art committee, the community band and chorus, the previously mentioned Leadership Academy, and so much more. Becoming a member is a way to support a variety of valuable and diverse organizations that give so much to the community.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
Since we live in a small town that doesn’t boast a mall or huge shopping center, it can be tempting to just drive over the hill to Scottsdale to do all your shopping or to go out to eat. But when you support local businesses, you contribute to the economic health of our own community. We have a variety of little specialty shops around town such as a local plant nursery, a candle shop, the best chocolate shop anywhere, a bakery, a hardware store, and so much more. And, of course, our town has a large variety of local restaurants to suit every craving. When you get to know our local business owners, you are getting to know your own neighbors. Support our local businesses.
