LSV2025 Class Project
Request for Class Project Approval
Withdrawal of Project #1
On December 12, 2024, the planning and organizational outreach subcommittees met with members of the Bottle Village non-profit organization. They conducted a site visit of Bottle Village and discussed what projects could be done to enhance public interest (including curbside appeal) of the historical landmark. While the Leadership class of 2025 agrees Bottle Village is a unique piece of Simi Valley's heritage, and we would like to see it restored, there is a lot of continued maintenance and upkeep that Bottle Village needs that is not currently being met. The Leadership class of 2025 agreed that the maintenance Bottle Village requires is not something that our class can feasibly provide at this time, nor would it benefit Bottle Village if the upkeep was not maintained. There is also a genuine concern that by having a large group of volunteers on the premise at one time, it's possible we could cause more damage than good. It is for that reason, our class is proposing a new project idea, which is listed below.
Previous project CANCELED- click here to download - Class Project Proposal
2nd Choice Project Title
Rooted in Simi, Growing Together (Planting Trees Throughout Simi Valley)
Project Description
The Leadership Class of 2025 would like to plant trees at the following locations in Simi Valley: The Free Clinic of Simi Valley, Mountain View Elementary School, Hollow Hills Elementary School, and Rancho Simi Recreational Parks.
The Free Clinic of Simi Valley is a nonprofit organization that provides free medical, legal, counseling, and dental services to families in need. The organization was established in 1971 and has continued to grow through the assistance of grants and generous donors.
The clinic is located at 2003 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley. At the front of the facility is a flagpole with built in seating. Alongside the flagpole area, there used to be two trees that would provide shade to the area; however, those trees are no longer there, and the clinic does not have the funds to re-plant them. This project would include re-plant two trees to the front of the clinic and possibly installing a wooden book box in the same area.
On 12/13/2024, our class met with Free Clinic Executive Director Fred Bauermeister to conduct a site visit and to see where those trees would be planted. We discovered there are two stumps where the old trees used to be, and there is an irrigation system currently in place. The Leadership Class of 2025 is actively in communication with local landscape companies to obtain a quote and/or to see if a business is willing to volunteer their service to remove those stumps. Our class plans to fundraise to purchase the trees and/or hopes to receive the trees as donations. Depending on the size of the trees, our class will then plant the trees ourselves or will use funds to hire a company and have the trees planted professionally.
While discussing this project, our class also learned that there are two elementary schools in Simi Valley (Mountain View and Hollow Hills) that want to plant two to three trees in the grass areas just outside their playgrounds, but do not have the funds to do so. Our class has been in communication with the Simi Valley Unified School District about planting these trees and we have been informed that they would like two to three 24-inch box Sycamore or Red Oak trees at each school.
In addition, our class has been in communication with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District about planting additional trees in local parks, and they plan to provide us a list of locations where trees would be needed.
The number of trees that get planted will be dependent on our fundraising efforts.
A ribbon cutting ceremony would also be planned to recognize the efforts of the participating stakeholders (i.e. Leadership Class of 2025, volunteers, donors, clinic representatives, school representatives, and park district representatives). Local dignitaries, press, and Leadership Alumni would all receive invitations to the event.
Benefits to the Community
This project is about the Leadership Class of 2025 giving back to our community. We titled this project Rooted in Simi, Growing Together because our leadership class is comprised of community members who are rooted in Simi Valley and who are growing our families in Simi Valley.
It is a known fact that trees provide a wide range of benefits including better health benefits, air quality, reducing noise pollution, and so much more. The main reason our class wanted to plant trees is for the benefits the trees provide to our growing community.
Trees promote social ties and encourage people to be outdoors. We want a shaded place for clients at the free clinic to be able to sit down, relax, and read a book while they wait for their appointment; we want the kids in our schools to have a shaded place to play; and we want to plant trees in our local parks to encourage families and other community members to go to the parks and to enjoy the outdoors.
Are any approvals required?
The Leadership Class of 2025 has been in communication with representatives from the Free Clinic, the Simi Valley Unified School District, and the Rancho Simi Recreation Park District, all of which fully support this project. We have also received confirmation from each representative that they will provide continued maintenance of the trees after we have planted them.
Will there be manpower required to complete the project from others besides class members?
It is possible that this project will require manpower outside the Leadership class itself. We may require professional stump removal as well as professionals to install the trees (depending on the size of the trees). We are already in communication with local landscaping companies to receive quotes and to see if they would be willing to donate their services.
Will any fundraising be required? If so, how does the class propose to raise it?
It is expected the Leadership class will fundraise for this project (to include soliciting businesses for plant/tree donations as well as monetary donations). The amount of proceeds/donations that are raised will dictate how many trees we are able to plant. Fundraising will be delegate3d to members of the class that have volunteered to lead those efforts.
Project Completion
Leadership will work with representatives from each location to coordinate what days) are best for planting these trees. The class would also plan on a ribbon cutting ceremony in June of 2025, which coincides with the culmination of other class requirements. This date can be fluid should the Chamber need completion to occur before or after that date, at which point Leadership would work with representatives to expedite the project.
Team Roles
Planning & Organizational Outreach
|
• Identify all entities that must be involved in the project (the owners or representatives of each location) • Identify the needs, then identify all materials/tools needed to complete the project by a set timeline. • Identify project limitations/necessary prerequisites. |
Team: |
Emily, Angel, Shannon, Anthony, Michael, Bernardo, Jon |
Volunteers Labor Needs |
• Identify / solicit local agencies and volunteers looking to contribute to community project, if necessary |
Team: |
Nicole, Gabby, Fabian, Kris |
Marketing Publicity |
• Identify press contacts who can be included on project culmination • Create marketing campaign to publicize efforts and press release(s) |
Team: |
Gina, Earle, Jamie, Lupita |
Fundraising |
• Identify local stakeholders that may be interested in donating • Work with steering committee on financial tracking system (if more than one donor) • Work with marketing and publicity to create short term recognition of donors |
Team |
Brian, Brandi, Brian, Sam |
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony |
• Organize presentation • Invite speakers / educators / dignitaries / press / leadership alumni • Organize brief reception |
Team: |
Lauren, Midge, Neal, Annalise |
Thank you for your consideration of this project. This idea is the result of careful consideration of our classes goals, commitment to our community, and a benefit to all parties considered.
Submitted by: Jessica Getchius, Class of 2025 Project Chair Please send any follow-up questions to: JGetchius@SimiValley.org