Overview

Your Community Needs You

Local government relies on citizen representatives who serve on boards and commissions to function effectively. Members of the Common Council uses the input of boards and commission, as well as staff, to assist them in making important community decisions. Boards and commissions are the front line of the vetting process. Boards and Commissions, with the exception of the Library Board, are generally advisory in nature. The duties of Board and Commission members are to:

• Investigate matters within the scope of the particular board or commission or as directed by the Common Council.
• Advise the Common Council by communicating the viewpoint or the advice of the Board or Commission.
• Recommend direction to the Common Council based off of evidence, research and reports.

At times the Common Council will not agree with the recommendation of either group, but their decision-making is better informed as a result of the input. Most of the time, board and commission members are rewarded by seeing their guidance translated into local decisions or actions.

What Makes a Good Board or Commission Volunteer?

• Attends regularly scheduled board, commission or committee meetings,
• Is punctual so that meetings start and end on time,
• Comes prepared to constructively participate in conversations and make decisions,
• Listens with an open mind,
• Places his or her responsibility to the community above personal interests or beliefs,
• Familiarizes his or herself with the documents governing your particular body such as:  city ordinances, state statutes, City Council resolutions, advisory body bylaws, relevant element(s) of Comprehensive Plans and other pertinent documents or reports,
• Is willing to compromise and work as a team in order to reach consensus, and
• Is respectful to fellow board or commission members, staff and community members.

More information can be found in the Members Handbook for Boards, Commissions and Committees under the Vacancies tab or click here.