WORKING -- Rachel Clarke

-- Story by Noaki Schwartz; photo by Sean Hiller.

SHE IS

Probably planning something.

PARTY HOSTESS

Rachel Clarke is in charge of making One Ford Road a home for the nearly

400 families that are settling into the community. She is both activities

director and concierge for the exclusive community, which just opened

last year.

Her job is part good neighbor and part party hostess. A flier outlining

her duties states that she can make theater arrangements for groups,

oversee summer programs, organize volunteer opportunities and supervise

programs for kids.

“Basically, I plan all the social events,” she said.

LIFE OF THE PARTY

Clarke actually started out as a political science major in college. But

after a stint as a lifeguard and another working for Sen. Barbara Boxer,

she realized she wanted to work in a “fun setting,” she said.

So she made the switch to recreation administration, which she says is

similar to pursuing a business degree.

“It’s a lot of administration classes -- budgeting, coordinating and

fund-raising,” said Clarke, adding that she was also taught how to work

with people.

LANDING THE JOB

After she completed her degree and a number of internships, Clarke

started looking for a job, and the One Ford Road position was advertised

in the paper.

“They were looking for somebody to come and coordinate events and create

a sense of community here,” she said.

While the job is unusual, more and more housing communities are creating

similar positions. Neighborhood interaction, as opposed to resident

isolation, is the new trend in suburban living.

THIS YEAR’S EVENTS

Since she landed the job last August, Clarke has planned a number of

events. When she arrived, she sent out questionnaires to get a feel for

what residents wanted to do and planned events accordingly.

“We just had wine tasting last week,” Clarke said, adding that planning

events has been a dream because there’s no repetition.

This summer, residents can look forward to a Fourth of July parade for

kids, three concerts, water aerobics and a book club.

COMMUNITY ENTHUSIASM

So far, she said the reception has been great. Residents are relatively

new to the community and are eager to get involved.

“No one knows each other and they want to meet their neighbors,” Clarke

said. “My job is to encourage people to come.”

She is concerned, however, that attendance may eventually taper off. She

noticed that while residents are willing to blend into larger events, the

smaller events tend to intimidate newcomers.

Still, Clarke says attending the events is the best way to create a

tightknit community.