Volunteer Roles

The City of Marion relies on volunteers to perform many important functions. Volunteer help is encouraged and greatly appreciated by the Mayor, City Council and City staff.

City Boards & Commissions

The City of Marion has a number of appointed boards and commissions that provide citizens with an opportunity to provide guidance to the City Council on public matters. Serving on a board or commission offers a unique opportunity for meaningful civic involvement and public service. Any qualified resident may serve on a City board or commission.

How To Participate

The City invites all interested persons to apply for membership on one or more of the vacant positions that occur each year or as positions open. Positions come open on a rotational basis, so not all seats on each board or commission are vacant at the same time. An application form for service is provided here, which can be completed and returned to the City Manager’s office. Many times we have more qualified applicants apply than we have available seats, therefore if you are not selected, we encourage you to apply again.

Boards and Commissions include the following:

Planning Board/Board of Adjustment/Historic Preservation Commission - City residents are eligible to serve on this Board, which makes recommendations and decisions on various types of requests, including zoning map amendments, zoning text amendments, variances, special exceptions, Zoning related appeals, and Certificates of Appropriateness within the locally designated Historic District.
Tree Board - City residents are eligible to serve on the Tree Board, which coordinates the City’s annual Arbor Day celebrations and makes recommendations on the management of the City’s tree preservation and planting program.
ABC Board - City residents are eligible to serve on the City’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board, which oversees the operations of the City’s ABC System.

For more information, please email Landdis Hollifield, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Public Information Officer, or call City Hall at 828-652-3551.

Fire Department

While the City has six paid firefighter positions, the City relies primarily on volunteer firefighters to provide fire protection for the City and the surrounding Marion Area Fire District. The City typically has about 28 volunteer firefighters.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities in the Marion Fire Department, please email Fire Chief Ray McDaniel or call 828-652-5201.

Mountain Glory Festival

The Marion Business Association and the City of Marion hold the County’s largest festival, the Mountain Glory Festival, on the second Saturday of October each year. Approximately 20,000 people attend the Mountain Glory Festival, which showcases crafts, food and entertainment for the whole family. Volunteers are needed to help with Festival planning, vendor set-up, children’s activities, entertainment, drink booths and other functions.

Please email Freddie Killough with the Marion Business Association or call 828-652-2215 if you are interested in helping with the Mountain Glory Festival.

Events Committee

The Marion Business Association and the City of Marion also hold many other events in the downtown area throughout the year, including the July 4th Celebration, the Christmas Parade, the Downtown Summer Concert Series and Farmer’s Markets on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings from late Spring to early Fall.

Volunteers are needed on the Marion Business Association Events Committee to help with planning and staffing these events.

Please email Freddie Killough with the Marion Business Association at 828-652-2215 if you are interested in helping with the Events Committee or with particular events.

Open House

The City conducts an Annual Open House of City facilities for all 3rd Grade students in McDowell County, usually in April or May. Volunteers are needed to ride buses and to help with the event during the day.

Please email Landdis Hollifield, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Public Information Officer, or call City Hall at 828-652-3551 if you are interested in helping with the City Open House.

Litter Sweep

Each Spring, the City works with Keep McDowell County Beautiful and other organizations on litter collection and other clean-up projects in the community. Projects include a downtown clean-up day, a Lake James litter sweep and other projects.

Please email Freddie Killough with the Marion Business Association or call 828-652-2215 if you are interested in helping with the Litter Sweep. You can also contact the McDowell County Volunteer Center and Keep McDowell County Beautiful at 828-652-7121.