PAB looking for leaders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  At Eielson, there are more than 200 children at the Child Development Center and School Age Program while the Youth Sports and Youth Center has more than 700 children registered. Looking at the turnout of the Parent Advisory Board meetings, you'd think this number was a bit inflated; unfortunately, it's not.

The Parent Advisory Board is looking for enthusiastic, creative Icemen to stay involved with their children's care here. Elections will be Sept. 16, but nominations are due Sept. 13 to Patricia Sandusky. Currently all leadership positions are available.

Youth programs on base are geared to make the military member's life a little easier and the PAB meetings let parents speak with directors and caregivers about their needs and share new ideas. It is made up of parents, center directors, the Airman and Family services flight chief, and the 354th Mission Support Group commander, but it is run and led by the parents.

"The PAB's three focus areas are advising the directors of each program, raising support and participating in our child's care through volunteerism and sustaining morale by ensuring our caregiver's know they are appreciated," said Senior Master Sgt. David Holmes, Chairperson of the board. "We're unique because we've combined Family Childcare, Youth Programs, and the Child Development Center to maximize resources and synergize results."

It's made up of highly motivated mother's and father's who want to improve the already outstanding care their children receive and to be an active part of their programs.

"Daily we drop our kids off with these providers and they're taking care of our kids while we're working long duty hours through exercises and stuff like that and those caregivers, those providers, deserve our appreciation. They're doing a fantastic job with our kids," said Sergeant Holmes.

"It's also important for other parents to get involved because it's our chance to interact with FSS leadership on any issues or concerns - from curriculum to problems we see. It's a good, official, method to bring the larger issues up to the front," he added.

The PAB has been dormant for many years; the current board was established in March with the primary objective of establishing the structure, getting parents involved and recruiting personnel to take the helm over the next year.

"It has been a great honor and pleasure serving as the chairperson with such energetic, creative and caring parents - my only hope is that the torch will be passed to someone that can truly guide the PAB to doing great things," said Sergeant Holmes.

The board meetings are another outlet for parents to get involved with their child's care because they do just what the name implies.

The acting Airman and Family Service flight chief, Brad Quarnberg, said it's vital to have parents involved so the childcare programs are successful.

"Parents have an active role in their child's care through the parent advisory board," said Mr. Quarnberg. "If they want to have a say in what's happening in the Child Development Center then it's in their best interest to get involved. This is their voice. To have a say in the things they would like to see or are concerned about. Their kids are in the CDC for eight hours a day - that's a pretty significant amount of time."

The meetings are held 11:30 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at the base chapel -bringing a lunch is highly encouraged.

Editor's Note: The board is open to all personnel and spouses with all kinds of talents; the PAB needs people with strong organizational and administrative skills as well creative talents for arts, crafts and appreciation type initiatives. If anybody is interested in a position, email or contact Senior Master Sgt. David Holmes at 377-1311 or Mrs. Patricia Sandusky at 377-4114.