Building on the great success of the Tyler Police Department’s Volunteers In Policing program, the City of Tyler is launching an new organization-wide program to create opportunities for citizens to volunteer for their municipal government: Volunteer Tyler.
“Volunteer Tyler’s goal is to make use of the tremendous giving spirit of the citizens of Tyler by developing new opportunities for people to make a difference in their city through volunteering,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “We are also hoping the program will expand the capabilities of various departments by adding volunteers to help us serve others.”
Modeled after the Police Department’s volunteer program, Volunteer Tyler was first proposed earlier this year by one of the City’s leadership development teams through the Tyler Apprenticeship Program.
With the commencement of the new Fiscal Year, City Manager Mark McDaniel and Chief of Police Gary Swindle tapped Police Volunteer Services Coordinator Gary Lynch to lead the new program.
“I am proud of the work done by our volunteers and by Gary here at the Police Department,” Chief Swindle said. “We’ve had volunteers here in the Department for more than 13 years and they have been a tremendous asset. I am very pleased to see the program expanding to reach other Departments in the City.”
The Volunteer Tyler program is not intended to replace or displace paid staff but instead will allow departments to draw on the talent, skills and abilities of members of the community who want to be a part of making Tyler a better place to live.
Volunteer opportunities in the Library and Police Department are currently available. To learn more about volunteering for the City of Tyler, please contact Gary Lynch at (903) 531-1071, email glynch@tylertexas.com or pick up an application at the Library or Police Department.
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