Profile
Michael Funk
"All the design team members have great experiences and ideas, but it's the community that has the intimate experiences and ideas that are needed to develop the project concepts and designs."
When we started our Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2015, Mike was added to it for his long-term committment to the Collaborative, demonstrated by his work on more than 30 (!!!) Design Grants since 2001.
Q. Why is engaging the community in the design process important to you?
Getting the opinions and feedback from the community during the preliminary design phase is crucial to the process. They are also greatly appreciative of all the efforts of the volunteers time and effort.
Q. Why is design an important part of revitalizing communities?
R. [Design] Would bring vacant, underutilized space back on line for community benefit.
Q. What has been most surprising, rewarding, or fun about your Collaborative experience?
R. Always working with great people from the CDC staff to volunteers to the community groups.
R. What was most surprising or most rewarding about working on a project with the Collaborative?
I think it is helpful to provide community groups and organizations with the preliminary information needed to further their mission, expand the programs and improve facilities. It also lets me meet and interact with other volunteers.
