Serving on a City Board or Commission - A How-To Guide For Residents

[Aaron Goode]

SERVING ON NEW HAVEN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS -

A USER’S GUIDE TO THE PROCESS

by New Haven Votes Coalition (www.newhavenvotes.org)

Did you know that New Haven has over 40 different volunteer boards and commissions? Being on a City board or commission is a great way to serve your community while developing civic knowledge and leadership skills. The following user's guide leads you through the process of applying, getting appointed and confirmed. 

Step 1: What are you interested in?  Review the list of Boards and Commissions and see which ones have vacancies.  https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/comm/listed/default.htm (Please note: this list is often out of date so don’t give up if you don’t see any vacancies on the board/commission of your choice.) Find one (or more) that you are interested in. You may want to attend one of their meetings before committing yourself. Contact the chair and let them know you are interested in possibly serving on the board.

Step 2: Applying: fill out the application form and submit it to the mayor’s office: https://newhaven.seamlessdocs.com/f/dtcwx29xgy03

Step 3: Contact your Alder (Who’s my alder? https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/alders/list_of_alders.htm) and tell them you are interested in serving on a board/commission. Ask them to write a letter of support for you to the mayor’s office.

Step 4: Follow-up: contact the mayor’s office to make sure they received your application.  Maria Melendez, [e-mail], [phone]

Step 5: Appointment: you receive a letter in the mail from the Mayor saying you’ve been appointed. Congrats!

Step 6: Confirmation: you will be asked to appear before the Aldermanic Affairs Committee of the Board of Alders to be confirmed. PLEASE DO NOT MISS YOUR HEARING. The mayor’s office will help you understand the expectations for this hearing and what kinds of questions you will be asked by the committee.

Step 7: After the Aldermanic Affairs Committee votes to support your confirmation, the nomination will be sent to the full Board of Alders for approval. This may take a few weeks.

Step 8: You are confirmed by the Board of Alders! That’s it -- you are a city official!

Step 9: Fill out and submit a conflicts-of-interest disclosure form. Start attending your meetings!