Molly Baumann - the people behind SPRD

Molly Baumann wears many different hats in her career and life: mom, wife, and Forest Service employee, as well as secretary for the Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) board of directors. Baumann manages forest sites and forest development in Central Oregon. She oversees maintenance for sites in the Cascade Lakes area, and sites on the Deschutes River.

She has been living in Sisters with her family for five years and entered service on the SPRD board to give back to her community.

“I knew I wanted to be involved on a board in some way or another, and then I met Jeff Tyrens (the current board vice president), and he encouraged me to apply when a spot came open,” she said.

Baumann has been serving almost a year and a half, being one of the newer members of the board.

Baumann has an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old going to school in the Sisters School District, and can serve as a voice for other parents on the board.

“I think SPRD is a great asset to the community. It’s a great place for kids to learn social skills, sports, and be active in their own community,” said Baumann.

Baumann works with the board on expanding programs and adding perspective and feedback about what parents are seeing regarding the benefits of the programs for their kids.

“There is also such a huge benefit to adults in our community with the programs we offer to all ages,” she said.

Baumann emphasized the importance of volunteering with SPRD.

“Without volunteers, many of these programs would not be able to happen. It’s hard to find full-time staff, so we rely a lot on volunteers and parents of children in programs to allow these amazing programs to operate,” she said.

When Baumann isn’t working in the forest or serving on the board, she is a ski coach at Hoodoo, with that season now entering full swing.