BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS PROCESS AND PLACEMENT

Board and Commissions are not only an avenue for community and civic engagement but also a way to build power for communities throughout your local city. Leaders like yourselves should understand the power you may have access to and why placement is so crucial.

First, you are representative of, and accountable to, communities of varying economic thresholds and communities often marginalized.

Second, you have the potential to influence social justice issues in these communities, and, in turn, lead communities and organizations in influencing decision making in your city through the boards and commissions.

Third, you may hold seats on city, county, and regional commissions that impact the political strategies needed to implement and support equitable local policymaking.

The process and placement should not be entered lightly, because, successfully serving on boards and commissions is about having the right knowledge foundation, the technical skill and the political skill. Prospects should examine one's interest and investment into the process. Two important points to consider are:

First, Why am I serving? Serving on a board or commission is a significant and meaningful way to participate in civic life. As a member, you can share your expertise while directly participating in shaping your local community. Many people choose to serve on boards and commissions as a means of gaining new skills, sharing diverse viewpoints, or to “step out of a comfort zone.” Some might also choose to utilize their seats as a means to attain higher leadership positions, appointed or elected.

Counties and cities are looking for a diversity of experiences and skills on their boards and commissions. Many cities and counties are already looking for qualified individuals to serve. Often, citizens may apply for boards and commissions that they think themselves qualified for, which has led to a concentration of women on certain bodies and a concentration of men on others. For instance, traditionally, men have not been asked as often to sit on early childhood boards, and those boards tend to be dominated by women. But do not limit yourself by moving into the obvious; take time to see where you might align in a board or commission outside your familiar zone.

Second, Am I The Right Candidate? Local residents are preferred appointees because boards and commissions are a wonderful way to encourage citizens to be involved in their own governance. Most often, a person is appointed to a board or commission because of a particular skill, interest, or expertise. Others may have a general background in a subject, such as health care or the environment, and be selected to serve on a board with responsibilities related to that subject. Specific expertise is not a requirement to apply for all boards and commissions. Do not hesitate to apply, even if your skill set may not be right on target.

Because boards and commissions operate differently from city and county, you will need to check locally to find out how the application process works in your area. In smaller population areas, often the application process may be less formal. You may want to contact the City Administrator, City Clerk, or County Auditor to learn about the appointment process.

Below are additional questions to think through in preparation to engage the board and commissions process and placement. As a leader, you have to be clear about your WHY you want to serve and WHY NOT. A as the role of board and commission is a role of impact and influence:

Are there specific boards or commissions you are most interested in serving on or influencing for social justice outcomes, and why?

Please include if you have previously served on any commissions or if you’re had experience advocating and influencing specific commissions on policies.

What are your experiences, professional or personal, of supporting equity and/or social justice work?

What are your experiences in working with others (coalition work) to affect policy change?

In the section below we have included a robust breakdown of the application process, bringing together common steps and questions, to the best of our ability. It is important to note the process and placement will vary city to city and county to county. It is incumbent upon you to use the below section as a guide but you must research the particular city and county to which you are applying to understand their process and placement procedure.

This is where your strategic relationships can be beneficial, especially if they have insight into the board and commissions process and placement in your local city or county. They can assist you in navigating the steps, as they may differ from below.

What experiences in interacting with local decision makers through some form of civic engagement or volunteerism?

How To Best Use This Guide

2 STEP 1 STEP

Copy all of the questions below into that document

3 STEP 5 STEP 4 STEP

Fill in all the questionseven the ones that are more reflective and require some thought.

Begin to craft your expertise profile - this will help you navigate which board or commission to pursue and share with your strategic partners so they can refer you as opportunity arises.

Fine tune your answers, fill in any gaps, and commit to a script (key information about you and your interest in serving on a board or commission, and why?)