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Nominations for the 2011 cohort are due May 2, 2011. Find out more about BCLI and how to apply or nominate a candidate at BCLI Information Sessions April 1 and April 6, 2011. |
People of color and low-income communities have
little say in regional planning or economic and environmental
policymaking, yet it is these communities that are most negatively
impacted by these policies. In response to this challenge, Urban Habitat
launched the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute in 2009, with
the following goals:
- People who have historically been marginalized from decision-making processes and positions because of their race and class will hold priority seats on local and regional public 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 that reflect the needs and interests of low-income communities and communities of color.
- Decisions made by prioritized boards and commissions will be aligned with the Urban Habitat’s values for economic, social, and environmental justice.
Program Model: “Seat’s First”
Our “seat’s first” model relies on an analysis of key boards and
commissions seats throughout the Bay Area -- including city, county, and
regional appointments. Targeted boards and commissions have existing or
potential influence over one or more of our core equity areas of
transportation, equitable development, housing, jobs, and climate
change.
Each year, the list of targeted seats is distributed to
progressive organizations and allies so that they may nominate
participants from within their own programs, campaigns, and networks.
Nominees are interviewed, and a selection committee of BCLI alumni and
staff determines the final cohort.
- 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.
Cohort members engage in a rich training and networking program, meeting face to face and completing online assignments from August through January for a total of 80 hours, using a professional development model that includes honing skills for commission effectiveness, deepening knowledge of core regional and local planning issues, understanding power dynamics of regional and local governments, learning from veteran advocate commissioners, observing and analyzing commissions, and networking with elected officials, appointed commissioners, and staff.
“Just in Time” Mentoring
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, equitable development, 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.
Alumni Program
The
Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute offers a rich alumni
program that not only generally 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. Our alumni program serves to reinforce our work together
in advancing equity for low-income people and communities of color.
Alumni briefings are designed to bring graduates together for quick,
rich, timely sessions through both our policy hubs and our city and
county hubs.
Alumni also play a key role in cohort formation
through nominating, interviewing, and selecting incoming cohort members.
They also serve future cohorts by refining, developing, and
facilitating curriculum and providing mentorship support for new
advocate commissioners.
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.
Program Cycle and Timeline
The Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute currently supports one cohort per year on the following timeline.
- Target Seats Finalized: February 15th
- Program Information Sessions: February 18th - April 15th
- Nominations Accepted: February 15th - May 2nd
- Interviews: June 6th - June 29th
- Cohort Selection Finalized: July 15th
- Leadership Institute Training: August 19th - January 20th
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.
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