B
oard meetings. Those two words rarely elicit an overly enthusiastic response. In fact, many would say that “bored meetings” may often be a more apt description.
When you hear about a board meeting, the mental images that are conjured probably include several people sitting around a table with some sort of an agenda placed in front of them. A numbered or bulleted list can be found on said agenda, and for 1-2 hours, each item on the list must be addressed according to proper procedure.
There is discussion. There are motions. Motions are seconded. Votes are taken. It all gets recorded in the minutes, there is adjournment, and everyone disperses.
Now, this may not sound super-exciting, and if we’re just talking about your typical, run-of-the-mill, regularly scheduled board meeting, then yeah, it can amount to just checking a series of boxes in order to make sure that an entity is continuing to operate within the proper legal confines.
But sometimes it can be more than that. Sometimes there is pizza… or cookies… or both!
Seriously, though, a big part of our job here at the News Journal, or any other local newspaper worth its salt, is to maintain a regular presence at various board meetings in order to relay to the public what types of activities are taking place within the entities that those boards govern. It’s important work, as is the work of the board members whom we are observing and reporting on.
I wanted to take the opportunity this week to write a column and give a special shoutout to everyone in our local community who has ever volunteered to serve on one board or another, as well as those who are doing so currently. You may think that your time and dedication go unnoticed, but let these words serve as proof that they do not.
I venture to guess that most people serving on boards will tell you themselves that there are plenty more enjoyable things that they could be doing with their spare time, but they also know that there is little that is more meaningful and impactful to their fellow citizens. This, I believe, is why most of them are making the commitment to serve.
It is an admirable undertaking, and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. If it weren’t for our local housing authority boards, many folks would be without a place to live. If it wasn’t for our local tourism boards, then there would be far fewer exciting events and initiatives that help generate interest in the local area (not to mention money for the local economy). If there was no local board of health, our community would have far fewer health-related resources, both mental and physical, and overall quality of life would decrease significantly.
I could go on and on with specific examples, but I think you get the idea. The bottom line is this – in order for us to have nice things, people have to be willing to give their time and attention to ensuring that proper procedures are being followed. Special events don’t just magically come together. Building projects don’t organize themselves. Opportunities for growth typically aren’t going to materialize unless there are actual people behind the scenes making it happen.
My main point in writing this particular column, as I said earlier, is to thank everyone who has served and/or is serving on some board or another. In addition to that, I would also like to encourage those who haven’t served to maybe think about ways in which you can. There are a ton of opportunities, and based on what I’ve personally witnessed, many groups are in perpetual need of smart, passionate, idealistic individuals who are looking to make a positive impact.
Serving on a board isn’t for everyone, sure, but if you think it might be for you, then ask around to see where you might fit in. My guess is you won’t have to look far.
Before I wrap up, I will take things one step further and say that, if you believe you would be able to make a difference in one of our local elected offices, then I encourage you to think about filing to run for election before we hit the deadline in early January. It’s a big step, I know, but I also know there are capable folks out there with some valid ideas that probably need to be heard. My hope is that we will see more of those folks coming forward in the days ahead, and that the upcoming election season will be filled with spirited debate for our local voters to consider before heading to cast their ballots.
