“I cannot stress enough the importance of doing your homework.”
-Chakisse Newton, Richland County Council
Can you imagine the embarrassment of interviewing for an appointed position only to discover while answering questions that the position doesn’t entail what you thought it did?
It’s something Richland County Councilwoman Chakisse Newton has seen multiple times.
Luckily, that’s easily avoided. We’re giving you the tools you need to research positions before you apply, so the only things you’ll feel in an interview are confidence and excitement.
Are you ready to serve?
Serving on a board or commission is usually a 2-5 year commitment. It’s a commitment that your community will rely on you to honor. Before you apply, you’ll need to explore whether the position you’re applying for is the best fit for you. Some things you’ll want to consider:
Your talents.
As women, we tend to doubt our abilities and qualifications. Don’t discount yourself from applying! Ask your friends, colleagues, and family want they think your strengths are. You may be surprised by their answers and realize you’re more equipped than you think. You can also use tools geared towards career assessments, like Agilities, to pinpoint where you excel.
Your motivation.
Ask yourself why you want to serve. If you’re motivated by one particular cause or experience, that may make appointing officials wary of appointing you. They want to make sure those they’re appointing see the big picture. Those serving put the community ahead of personal interests and agenda. If you want more bike lanes in your city, contact your representatives, go before the bicycle and pedestrian committee, and engage your neighbors, but don’t be surprised if your singular focus keeps you from being appointed to the committee.
Your interests.
Keep in mind any potential conflicts of interest. If you’re strong in an area because of your work experience, that could also mean you have conflicts of interest you will need to declare. For example, if you’re a real estate developer who frequently applies for zoning changes, serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals in your community may not be the best fit as you may need to recuse yourself from some hearings.
Your eligibility.
Sometimes there are legal requirements about who is eligible to serve on a particular board or commission. For example, the state Domestic Violence Advisory Committee requires that some members be solicitors, police chiefs, victim advocates, and medical examiners. Review the board’s enabling legislation to determine if you meet the requirements. Municode is a great tool for reviewing municipal and county legislation, and the statehouse website will help you search the Code of Laws and executive orders.
Your schedule.
Most boards and commissions meet at a set time every month or quarter. Check where and when the board meetings are held. Make sure it doesn’t conflict with your kid’s soccer practice or your work hours. Also, take into consideration that there may be some travel involved in getting to meetings. There is usually an attendance requirement, and you may be removed from the board if you miss more than 25% of the meetings. Check your calendar to make sure this won’t happen to you.
How to work the process
How can you leverage the appointment process to boost your chances of being appointed? It may seem intimidating, but the more research you do, the more you’ll be prepared. Here are some steps you can take:
- Attend a meeting
- Build connections
- Discover the timeline
Attend a meeting.
Of course, you should see what you can find online about the board’s role and responsibilities. But the best way to see what the board does is to attend a meeting. Most meetings are open to the public or even streamed live. If you can’t attend a meeting, review the meeting minutes. This kind of research not only allows you to build connections and learn about the board, but it will help you talk about how you would further the board’s projects if you’re interviewed and gives you a head start when you begin serving.
Build connections.
Don’t wait to contact your representative until after you apply. Reaching out before you submit your application demonstrates you’re eager to serve and allows you to forge a connection before your application goes for a vote. Plus, they may have valuable insight into the appointment process. It’s not uncommon for appointing authorities to seek input from those currently serving on the board or take into consideration unprompted recommendations they receive from those serving. Take the time to introduce yourself to board members. Their contact information may be publicly available on the government or board’s website. You can also call upon your contacts to make an introduction or use LinkedIn to connect directly. Or you can introduce yourself when you attend a meeting!
Discover the timeline.
Some local governments, like Greenville County, only accept applications during certain months. Senators can only vote on Senate-confirmable appointments when the legislature is in session. The Governor’s office often focuses on a few boards at a time to help them work through the numerous boards they’re responsible for. Make sure you know what the timeline and process is before you apply. Many boards have staff liaisons you can contact with questions. Clerks to council and city clerks are a great resource when applying to local boards. The governor’s office, legislative delegations, and legislature committees all have staff who assist with appointments. Asking questions doesn’t make you look ill-informed or count as a strike against you. It shows you’re engaged and dedicated.
When in doubt, ask questions! Governments want citizens to volunteer, and they’re here to answer questions you may have about the process.
Exercise
Are you wondering where to begin with your research? Here’s a handy checklist you can use to make sure you’re covering all your bases.
TIP: Many counties and municipalities have the same kinds of boards. If you’re struggling to find information about the board you’re interested in for your county or municipality, check for similar boards on MatchBoard, which will break down what the board does and what skills board members need.
Additional Resources
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