Want better local leadership? Volunteer to serve on a governmental board or commission

Living overseas for several years, my trips back to Atlanta were always very special for my kids and me. We would hug my parents and catch up on family, my brother’s latest band, and how soon we could head to the Waffle House. Among the most fascinating updates, however, was what was going on in Atlanta. And my mom had a front row seat. 

My mother, Martha Porter Hall, served as the community representative on the Zoning Review Board and Board of Zoning Appeals for about a decade in the early 2000s. Nominated by her city councilor, she helped shape key decisions during a period of tremendous growth and change. While my kids and I were ice skating at Park Tavern or chasing down hot Krispy Kreme donuts, she and my father would set out on a drive to visit each address on the upcoming agenda, a four-inch binder on her lap, file folders laid across the back seat. They would circle each site, measure the traffic, judge the terrain and scope the properties nearby, to best consider each applicant’s request. 

“What are the issues? Why are they coming before the committee? What do they want?” she recently told me they would ask themselves. Dinner conversations that night revolved around these trips, her questions, and perhaps some recommendations for the upcoming public meetings. 

Back home in South Africa, I would stream those meetings later. “There’s Nana!” I would show my kids, “Remember that building she told us about? She just voted on it!” 

Boards and commissions, like the Zoning Review Board, are the lifeblood of our communities. They advise city departments, support key staff, and generally help local governments function effectively. Often created by statute at the local level, these quasi-governmental institutions ensure oversight, consistency, and communication between elected officials and their constituents. 

Many carry budgetary and regulatory responsibilities. Members gather community input, navigate conflict and guide deliberation, often in the public arena. Their decisions can have long-term impacts on the quality of life of thousands of residents, service providers, and neighboring locales, intended or unintended. Alliances are forged, negotiations brokered and positions formed, which sometimes show up later in political platforms. 

Serving on these boards offers invaluable experience in citizenship and governance, skills that sustain an active democracy. 

The city of Atlanta itself has over 100 boards and commissions, ranging from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau to the Zoning Review Board. There’s the Public Art Advisory Committee, the Board of Ethics, Atlanta Tree Conservation Committee, Code Enforcement Commission and the Health Care Task Force, among others. Cobb County lists 47 boards and commissions, including an Animal Services Board, Fire Prevention and Protection Board, numerous trade advisory boards and Workforce Development. Gwinnett has 55 on its website. Douglas County has posted four current or upcoming opportunities to serve, including the Cemetery Commission — all that green space!

Yet opportunities to serve are often overlooked by newer volunteers and by seasoned professionals, activists and advocates. Too many essential roles remain empty or are filled with folks with little or outdated experience in the mission, while others have served so long that their voices have lost impact. Recently, the CEO of a prominent county told us how she called up her long-serving board members, thanked them for their service and provided a list of opportunities where their contributions might be better suited. “These roles are too valuable,” she told us, “and the leadership opportunities are too rare to be overlooked.” 

Elected officials often gain their first experience in governance and public service by serving on these boards. Felicia Moore, former city councilmember and City Council President, got her start serving on her local NPU board (there are 25 NPUs in Atlanta). My mother’s nomination was submitted by her city councilor, based on the leadership of her neighborhood association and NPU. 

Serving on these boards and commissions can be a step towards elected office, but doesn’t have to be. When asked if she ever considered running for office herself, my mom said, “No, not really. I was doing something that affected the look of the city, I was being part of the change, being able to participate in the life and appearance of my hometown. To me, it was an honor to be able to be part of the city.”  The work itself can be important enough. 

Quasi-governmental boards and commissions often also create the first field of play for more inclusive leadership and social change. Today, six metro Atlanta county commissions are led by Black women, reflecting a powerful shift in representation and voice. 

Research shows that women leaders often foster more collaboration, greater focus on bread-and-butter issues like access to education and health care, and sustainability. As one summary put the role of women in leadership, “Decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness.” 

I am so optimistic about the future of our region and our state! 

To those considering serving on a board or commission, think broadly about your experience. Also consider that women are more likely to wait for someone to tap them. Don’t! Research the mission and charter of the board and how your contributions will best fit. Caring for older parents? Consider a Council on Aging. Enjoy your local trails? Think about the Parks’ Commission. Once in your role, take the responsibilities seriously and serve with distinction. Attend meetings prepared with questions, comments and potential recommendations. Collaborate with constituents and other members. If you aspire to elective office, take advantage of this opportunity to learn and grow in your leadership style and your knowledge base. Get to know your constituents and issues of importance to them. 

If you want to be considered, take my mom’s advice. “Go to your city council member and say I would really like to be on that board if a spot opens up. Get to know your council member — call up and set up a meeting.” Not sure where to start? Check out Georgia Women Connect’s Clearinghouse to post your interest in serving and areas of expertise. 

To elected officials seeking appointees: consider carefully how these valuable seats are filled. Look broadly at experience and include volunteer and non-profit service, including the Armed Forces. Prioritize candidates with established solid reputations within the community. Appointees should be excited about the opportunity to serve and uphold the role and mission of the board, be ready and eager to read the agendas, attend the meetings, seek input and make tough decisions. If not, recognize how these boards reflect on your leadership and consider offering alternative roles better suited to their strengths. 

These appointments can also elevate engaged, emerging leaders in your community who may not yet see themselves in that way. Who organized that dog park? That safer street crossing? Leadership often begins right there. 

Many of us are excited to support brave new candidates for political office. Come this January, we will be watching the speeches and swearings-in. Among these elected officials’ first tasks will be filling these oversight boards. These quasi-governmental boards or commissions are critically important levels of connection between the electors and the elected — between who we say we are and who we are.  

My parents often say there is no greater mission than public service; it’s the rent we pay for civil society. Call your local elected official — or join the Clearinghouse — and make that happen today.