�����BOARD TRAINING WORKSHOP�

PRESENTED BY CARLOW UNIVERSITY

�����UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION�

INTRODUCTION

• Following your completion of this workshop, you will know:
• What boards, authorities, and commissions (BACs) are
• Why diversity is important on BACs
• How to apply to a BACs
• What makes an attractive candidate for BACs

WHAT ARE BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMMISSIONS?

• Boards, authorities, and commissions (BACs) are advisory commissions that are responsible for private or public matters
• BACs make informed decisions on matters such as transportation, waste management, or urban renewal

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DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION

• Having a diverse BAC allows all people to be represented and can ensure diversity of ideas
• BACs are more efficient and democratic when representation is equal to the population being served

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WHY APPLY?

• Serving on a BAC is a meaningful way to be involved civically in your region and, as a representative of your area, you can make decisions that have a real impact
• It can also:
• Expand your professional network
• Boost your resume
• Gain valuable experience
• Learn new skills

CURRENT REPRESENTATION

• While minority representation on BACs is on par with the population of the communities served, women are not adequately represented

PITTSBURGH REPRESENTATION

• In 2015, Women made up 52% of working population in the city of Pittsburgh, but made up only 38% of BAC members

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY REPRESENTATION

• Women made up 52% of working population in Allegheny County, but make up only 30% of BAC members

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�����UNIT 2: BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, AND COMMISSIONS

ALLEGHENY COUNTY BACs

• Allegheny County has 40 active boards, authorities, and committees
• For information on Allegheny County BACs, head to: http://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/boards.asp

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY BACs OF INTEREST

• Allegheny County Human Relations Commission:
• This commission investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. In addition to the volunteer members, the commission also employs a staff. Representation is important for this commission, as its purpose is to investigate discrimination.
• Community Services Advisory Council:
• This council reviews proposals from organizations requesting funding from the Community Services Block Grant and makes recommendations to the Department of Human Services on which agencies and programs are worthy of funding. The council members serve as extensions into the community for the identification of gaps in services, so representation is vital.
• Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County:
• Like the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, this authority can relocate residents, redevelop the land, and sell it to developers. Representation is vital. �

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CITY OF PITTSBURGH BACs

• The City of Pittsburgh has 26 boards, authorities, and commissions
• Information about each BAC can be found on the City of Pittsburgh’s website at: http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/bac/
• To find current openings for City of Pittsburgh BACs, head to http://apply.pittsburghpa.gov/

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PITTSBURGH BACs OF INTEREST

• City-County Task Force on Disabilities:
• This task force advocated for those living with disabilities, in areas such as infrastructure and the advancement of technology that can assist them. This is also an ideal BAC for residents who live with a disability, as the majority of members of this task force must have a disability.
• Equal Opportunity Review Commission:
• This commission develops policies regarding employment opportunities for minorities and women in contracting with the City of Pittsburgh and its authorities.
• Propel Pittsburgh:
• This commission is ideal for younger participants in the board training workshop. Members must be between the ages of 20 and 34. The commission advocates of behalf of young adults’ interests in city government.
• Urban Redevelopment Authority:
• This authority decides which areas to redevelop in the city, and then markets the property to developers. This is important because there is a risk for gentrification and the displacement of the poor. Adequate representation is very important for this authority.

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�����UNIT 3: AN ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATE

AN ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATE

• When you apply to serve on a municipal board, your first point of contact is your application
• For the City of Pittsburgh, a resume is included along with you application
• For Allegheny County, a resume and letter of interest are included along with your application

WRITING A RESUME

• A resume is required for application for both city and county BACs
• Resumes are meant to:
• Give a brief overview of you as an applicant
• Be a tool to help you land an interview
• Be the primary feature of your application

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WRITING A RESUME

• Resumes can help highlight relevant experience for a position
• Remember to include all experience related to the BAC you have chosen
• Your resume need not be limited to your work experience
• You can also include volunteer work, projects, extracurricular activities you participated in, etc

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RESUME FORMATTING

• Use an easy-to-read font such as Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamond. Use the same font throughout the resume
• Accentuate your name and headings by underlining or boldface
• Thoroughly proofread your resume before sending
• Make sure your resume looks clean and functional, not overcrowded

WRITING LETTERS OF INTEREST

• For application to Allegheny County BACs, a letter of interest is required
• Letters of interest are meant to:
• Show why a candidate is interested in the position
• Show what a candidate can bring to the position
• Show that a candidate is eager to help the BAC succeed
• Be an introduction of the candidate to the addressee

WRITING LETTERS OF INTEREST

• Letters of interest can help you stand out from the pack and give you a chance to promote yourself before you are called in for an interview
• Letters of interest are your chance to make a great first impression
• Although your resume is your primary tool in the application process, your letter of interest allows you to highlight your experience and passion in paragraph form

WRITING LETTERS OF INTEREST

• When writing letters of interest, make sure to include:
• Information that shows you have done your research on the position
• A list of your competencies and what you can bring to the position
• An expression of your passion for your chosen BAC's purpose

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LETTER OF INTEREST FORMATTING

• A good letter of interest should have:
• A greeting, a coherent body, and a conclusion
• Your address, telephone number, and email address clearly listed
• A "thank you" to the addressee for their time, and a statement that you look forward to hearing from them.

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Make sure to thoroughly proofread your letter of interest before sending!

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�����UNIT 4: HOW TO APPLY�

APPLYING TO PITTSBURGH BACS

• To apply for a Pittsburgh BAC, you must:
• Fill out the application on the City of Pittsburgh website
• Attach your resume to the application
• Mail, fax, or deliver your completed application to:
• Office of Mayor William Peduto

City of Pittsburgh

Attn: BAC Taskforce

512 City County Building

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Fax: (412) 255-2687

APPLYING TO PITTSBURGH BACS

• The City of Pittsburgh’s Board, Authority, and Commission application can be accessed by going to:

http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/bac/

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APPLYING TO ALLEGHENY COUNTY BACS

• To apply for an Allegheny BAC, you must:
• Email your resume and letter of interest by using the email link on the Allegheny County BAC webpage

APPLYING TO ALLEGHENY COUNTY BACS

• To apply to an Allegheny County board, authority, or committee, go to: to http://apps.alleghenycounty.us/website/boards.asp