On the Docket: Applications
As of November 23rd, we have a historic number of applications for the 2023 Boards and Commissions fellowship!!
Here’s a breakdown of our pool of applicants:
- Total: 31 Applicants; 1 returning from 2022 cohort
- Gender: 6 – male identifying; 22 – female identifying; 3 – non-binary/prefer not to answer
- Locations: Boise, Driggs, Hailey, Carey, Chubbuck, Meridian, Pocatello, Shoshone, Caldwell, Emmett, Nampa
We’re pleased to see such a diverse group of people to bring together on behalf of community leadership! Half of our participants identify as nonwhite, representing Latinx/Hispanic, African, Asian, South Asian, and Indigenous perspectives. Additionally, nearly 20% of our participants are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We also welcome a few individuals whose experiences have been shaped by disabilities, be it their own or someone close to them. This diversity in applicants underscores what this program is all about: uplifting voices of underrepresented identities into leadership, to ensure all are being heard within decision making processes. I can’t wait to see what we learn together throughout the 2023 Fellowship.
Stay tuned for a virtual kick-off celebration on December 27th! Keep an eye out on CVI’s social media to view the next cohort of community leaders!
Old Business: Recruitment
A big shout out to the 2021 and 2022 Boards and Commissions grads who are amazing at recruiting! Huge thank you to the following:
- Jane White, Jaime Lima, Karla Harmon, Clairemarie Owens – for attending the Treasure Valley listening session to share their experiences, as well as for encouraging members of their circles to participate in the 2023 class
- Renee Hill, Linda Mazzu and Clairemarie Owens for attending several on-line events
- Noemi Carrillo and Monica Carrillo for attending the Driggs listening session
- Emma Iannacone for attending and recruiting during our the Pocatello listening session
- Cece Osborn for attending the Bellevue listening session
- Tamara Harmon for hosting and recruiting for the Twin Falls listening session
The beauty of our Boards and Commissions Fellowship is the continued engagement of the graduates in all aspects of the fellowship. We already have several 2022 graduates who have volunteered to be mentors, speakers or agreed to assist in the mock hearing that will be held in May.
I’d also like to offer my thanks to the following people who have been unwavering supporters of the program: Crispin Gravatt, Laura Soldati, and Adan de la Paz. Each of them have either shown-up to events or heavily recruited people they know to participate as mentors, fellows or speakers for the program. They are doing this for free because they believe a strong democracy means everyone participates. Thank you all!!
If you would like to be involved as a mentor or speaker, please reach out to me via email!
New Business: Mentor Recruitment
Because we have a historic number of recruits, we need more mentors! Here are the attributes we are looking for in mentors:
- Must have a “can-do” attitude
- Must have at least one hour per month to dedicate to face-to-face, phone or Zoom meeting with a fellow
- Must be willing to learn alongside the fellow about boards and commissions
That’s it! Past mentors have said they have learned more from their Fellow than they feel they taught them, so it is a two-way relationship. Please call or email Toni if you have more information: email toni@cvidaho.org or call or text at 208-703-3063.
Please watch the Boards & Commissions webpage for more information.