{"id":57674,"date":"2014-01-17T12:33:11","date_gmt":"2014-01-17T17:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=57674"},"modified":"2014-01-12T12:51:33","modified_gmt":"2014-01-12T17:51:33","slug":"volunteering-in-local-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=57674","title":{"rendered":"Volunteering in Local Government"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Rebecca Vogler, Head Editor, INALJ Nevada<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Volunteering in Local Government<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n

\"rebeccavogler\"<\/a>In the summer of 2010, as I was getting close to finishing my undergraduate program and begin my exciting journey into the world of library science that following January, I was given a bit of advice that I believe has helped me tremendously ever since<\/p>\n

\u201cGet involved in local politics.\u201d <\/b><\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019m not saying everyone should drop what they\u2019re doing and run for mayor! \u00a0Who wants to run for public office? \u00a0However, there\u2019s a lot more to serving your local community than being elected as a councilman, alderman, or mayor.<\/p>\n

Most towns, cities, and counties (or parishes if you are in Louisiana) have appointed boards and commissions that help the local elected council make decisions in a wide variety of areas.\u00a0 Police boards, school boards, library boards, planning and zoning commissions, parks and recreation commissions, housing authority boards, public transit advisory boards, and visitors\u2019 bureaus are some examples.\u00a0 As a lover of the arts, I found my niche in the local Commission on Cultural Affairs<\/b>.\u00a0 Their once-a-month meetings on Monday evenings worked perfectly with my schedule, and they needed a non-artistic lay-person in my ward to fill an empty slot.\u00a0 After I applied, the commission selected my application and sent it to the City Council to be approved.<\/p>\n

My time on the commission taught me all about parliamentary procedure, teamwork, how to evaluate \"plaque<\/a>funding and grant applications, and much more.\u00a0 Including that volunteer experience on my resume and sometimes on my cover letter tells my potential employers that I have a willingness to serve on library committees, my effort to be a leader in my community, and my ability to work as part of a team.\u00a0 Getting appointed is as easy as visiting your local city or county website and finding their link to Boards and Commissions, filling out an application, and submitting it.<\/p>\n

Appointments are usually for three years with a possibility to be re-appointed for another three year term.\u00a0 I could not finish my three years because I graduated and got a job out of state soon after.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the other commissioners gave me a nice plaque as a going-away gift when I resigned, something I cherish and keep on my office desk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Rebecca Vogler, Head Editor, INALJ Nevada Volunteering in Local Government In the summer of 2010, as I was getting close to finishing my undergraduate program and begin my exciting journey into the world of library science that following January, I was given a bit of advice that I believe has helped me tremendously ever…<\/p>\n

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