Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute

Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute Overview
People of color and low-income communities have historically had little say in regional planning or economic and environmental policymaking, yet it is these communities that are most negatively affected by these policies. Advocates from these communities often lack the information and resources to participate effectively in long-term metropolitan planning and policy-making.

In response to this challenge, Urban Habitat and the Bay Area Social Equity Caucus launched the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute, in 2009, with the following goals:

• People historically marginalized from decision-making processes because of their race and class will hold priority seats on local and regional boards and commissions in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• This new network of progressive leaders will be technically and politically prepared and supported to make decisions reflecting the needs of low-income communities and communities of color.

Program Model: “Seat’s First”
Our “seat’s first” model relies on analyzing key boards and commissions seats throughout the Bay Area -- including city, county, and regional appointments – to determine key targets. Targeted boards and commissions must have existing or potential influence over one or more of our core equity areas of transportation, housing, land use, jobs, and the environment and must demonstrate a capacity to effect change for low-income people and people of color. Click here to view the target seats.

The resulting list of seats and their attributes is distributed to Social Equity Caucus organizations and other allies so that they may make participant nominations from within their own organizations, campaigns, and networks. Nominees are interviewed and a selection committee including representatives from Caucus organizations determines the final cohort of around 12 to 15 participants. 

• Some nominees to the cohort will be seeking upcoming vacancies largely with our support and the support of their nominating organization.
• Some nominees may be candidates already involved in appointment campaigns being run by our coalition allies and other partners.
• And some will be newly seated board members and commissioners from around the region who have been selected due to their potential for representing our issues and values.

Training Approach
Cohort members engage in a rich training and networking program, meeting from August through January for a total of 80 hours, including training sessions, open sessions, mixers, brief online assignments, observations, and one-on-one meetings with mentors, training staff, and technical support staff.

“Just in Time” Mentoring and Alumni Program
Graduates serving on boards and commissions also have access to “just in time mentoring” through the Technical Assistance Roster, and the promise of expedited consultations to support them in informed, equitable decision making on boards and commissions matters related to transportation, land use, housing, jobs, and climate change. Experts who appear on the Technical Assistance Roster agree to be available for quick phone or email exchanges, or even impromptu brown bag briefings.

The Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute also offers a rich alumni program that not only supports individuals graduating from this Institute, but also serves to structure an interdependent network of progressive commissioners in the region to fight against isolation and cooptation and to reinforce our work together in advancing equity for low-income people and communities of color.

Get Involved
Several entry points exist for individuals and organizations. You and your organization may be invited to:

• Nominate individuals to the cohort, according to guidelines distributed with the list of target seats.

• Contribute to the curriculum by working with Leadership Institute staff to develop and/or facilitate a training session.

• Serve on, moderate, or respond to a panel presentation that functions as part of our training program.

• Serve as a contact for the Technical Assistance Roster.

• Attend mixers, luncheons, open sessions, and other activities that will allow you to build networking links to the cohort and alumni.

• Identify staff and community partners for nominations to future cohorts by encouraging them to attend our open sessions and events and consult with us regarding professional development.

2010 Timeline
Urban Habitat and the Social Equity Caucus were pleased to launch the pilot Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute pilot training in September 2009 and to complete training on January 15, 2010, with the alumni program to follow. The 2010 timeline is as follows:

Setting the Agenda, Creating Change
The Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute will break down institutional barriers and dispel perceptions about the lack of qualified candidates from diverse populations in the San Francisco Bay Area. These new leaders will have the capacity and community support to advance a regional agenda for economic, environmental, and social justice and serve as the next generation of progressive elected officials who are representative of and accountable to the region’s low-income communities and communities of color.