Can a citizen get involved in working with the city on various issues?
Yes, San Carlos takes great pride in encouraging its citizens to participate on boards, commissions, committees, and special task forces. These groups include the Planning Commission, Traffic Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, History, Arts and Science Commission, Economic Development Advisory Commission & Project Area Committee, Senior Citizens Center Advisory Board, Youth Advisory Council, New Projects Committee, Housing Committee, Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Museum of San Carlos History Board. In addition to these standing commissions, boards and committees, the city continually appoints citizens to serve on various focused citizen committees, such as planning studies, traffic and parking studies, and economic studies. Interested citizens are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office at (650) 802-4219 for more information on how to become actively involved.

Does the City of San Carlos have a volunteer program?
Yes, the city staff welcomes the use of volunteers to carry out a number of very important functions:

• Tutoring of elementary or middle school students
• Assisting with special needs programs
• Assisting with senior programs
• Assisting with children programs
• Assisting with teen programs
• Assisting with keeping our parks beautiful
• Providing clerical support
• Assisting in Police Department support functions

The city provides insurance for its volunteers and greatly appreciates their contributions. To explore volunteer opportunities, call (650) 802-4221 or visit www.cityofsancarlos.org

What is the San Carlos Healthy Cities Tutoring Program?
The San Carlos Healthy Cities Tutoring Program is a volunteer-based, tutor-mentor program offered to students in six San Carlos schools. Tutors provide one-on-one help to students from kindergarten through eighth grade at Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks elementary schools, as well as at Central and Tierra Linda middle schools. Since being created in 1998, more than 450 students have been matched with dedicated volunteers from the San Carlos community.

During the 2001-2002 school year, more than 185 volunteers worked in these schools and provided one-on-one assistance to 192 students in need of a little extra help and support with their studies. An assessment in the areas of academic success and self-esteem is done when the student enters the program and again at the end of the school year. In June 2002, students involved in the program increased their academic scores by 39% and their self-esteem scores by 30%.

Volunteers receive an orientation and training and work once a week for about an hour with their student. Scheduling is very flexible. Click here if you would like to find out more about how to become a Healthy Cities volunteer tutor. For more information, contact Donna Becht at (650) 594-2460 or email her at dbecht@cityofsancarlos.org