We Need YOU on a Local Board or Commission!
This week we get to hear from someone who found out how powerful a citizen can be in protecting her community and making positive changes! And it was easier than she thought. Read how pro-life advocate and grassroots superstar, Jamie Kelly has made a big difference through Boards & Commissions. She even offers help to anyone interested in applying!
(Hello... could a few of you PLEASE join some city Library Advisory Boards?) Let’s fill up those vacancies—and many other boards, too-- with solid women and men of Action! ~ Kim
Have you ever thought of becoming involved in local government but don’t like the idea of running for office? Becoming appointed to an Arizona board or commission is just for you!
In Arizona, every city has commissions that make decisions that impact the citizens. Many of us are familiar with Planning and Zoning that decide on new buildings, businesses, etc., but there are many other boards that can have a huge impact on the community! Boards such as the Phoenix Library Advisory Board, inform and advise the City Council on matters of public interest and need in relation to the resources and services of the library system. What a great way to help get the inappropriate books out of the public libraries!
These boards impact our cities in many ways including weighing in on books or programs in the library, allocating funds on art projects, or ensuring the safety of communities through block watch programs. Many of the cities have vacancies on their boards, and we need more conservatives to serve. Take a moment to review the list of boards and commissions in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler and Mesa. A quick Google search of your city’s boards & commissions should take you directly to their website.
What does a city commission service include? While each commission is unique, generally a commission member’s duties are to attend a standing meeting (monthly/bi-monthly/quarterly) either in person or Zoom, and review a packet of issues and topics before the meeting. Each meeting is typically 2 hours long depending on the agenda.
Not only does your city have opportunities for you to serve, Arizona has statewide boards and commissions as well! While many of the state boards are related to a regulatory board like the Medical Board of Arizona, Law Enforcement Merit System Council, or the State Board of Education (requiring experienced professionals in that area), there are many opportunities for public members to apply and impact change.
This list of current vacancies shows numerous opportunities for you to be a conservative voice and make a difference where it’s important to you. I was honored to serve for several years on the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, which is the regulatory body of all law enforcement certifications. As a Board, we had the ability to remove/revoke an officer's certification and stop them from serving in law enforcement if they did not maintain standards of integrity, competence, and professionalism as Arizona peace officers and correctional officers.
As you can see from the vacancy list, there are a lot of board openings in Arizona. These are especially noteworthy: the Civil Rights Advisory Board, Early Childhood Development and Health Board, Human Trafficking Council and Parents Commission On Drug Education and Prevention, which all need public members. We need engaged and rational people to submit their names for positions, providing conservative voices in Arizona to combat the radical left’s agenda of dismantling our state from inside out.
Maybe you should apply! Here are the steps to become a commission or board member:
Review the list of vacancies and research that board to understand the requirements, roles and responsibilities.
Once you’ve found one or more you’d like to apply for, submit your application. You will need to submit a resume with your application.
After you’ve been screened, you will need to complete an interview, and some boards require a background check before they appoint someone.
If you are interested in learning more, or need help with your resume or preparing for the interview, I am happy to assist you. Email AZWOA letting them know you’re interested in applying for a board or commission position, and they will get us connected.
Arizona needs you to bring the conservative voice to the table, and here is your chance.
~ Jamie Kelly is a former Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board member and the Founder and Executive Director of Not all Heroes which is dedicated to providing the necessary connections for individuals in need while serving Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Dispatchers, Military and Veterans, as well as families.