Above / The community is welcome to an hour-long presentation that will feature how interested residents can apply to become involved. The session will be held in the lower level of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street.
The City of Naperville and the League of Women Voters will host an information session “An Introduction to City Boards and Commissions” at 7PM on Wed., Aug. 23, in Meetings Rooms A & B of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The hour-long presentation will cover the importance of boards and commissions to City governance and introduce the new Boards and Commissions Guide. Attendees will learn how the application and appointment process works if they wish to become involved. The session includes an introduction by the League of Women Voters, a presentation by Mayor Scott A. Wehrli and a question-and-answer session.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
“Boards and Commissions are a key component of our City governance,” Naperville Mayor Scott A. Wehrli says. “The volunteers who fill these critical roles help ensure the City grows and develops at an appropriate pace and that Naperville remains a world-class place in which to live. These volunteers exemplify community spirit.”
Consider 150 opportunities to serve Naperville
Volunteers fill some 150 positions on nearly 20 boards and commissions. Appointments are reserved for incorporated City of Naperville residents and made by the Mayor, with approval from the City Council based on experience and interest. Members are chosen to serve, in part, based on their unique background and perspective, and must commit to active, full participation in the role of the group on which they serve.
For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.
ICYMI… A few editor’s notes on new Boards & Commission Guide
At the conclusion of the second City Council meeting in June under “New Business,” Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli mentioned his working with City staff since May 1, his first full day as mayor, to produce a new guide for the City’s boards and commissions.
“I have one item, an update on where we are with boards and commissions,” Wehrli said, noting valuable input from the League of Women Voters, saying the guide will be going out in its final draft to City Council for review. “It covers everything… And it will be very much contributory to our transparency in this process.”
Shortly thereafter, the updated “City of Naperville Boards and Commissions Guide” was posted on the City’s website available in a PDF file format. Printed out, the handy guide featuring 18 current boards and commissions totals 15 pages. Every board and commission is described with expectations for its volunteers, including time commitments and other valuable appointment information.
Kudos to all the folks who contributed to the well-organized and easy-to-read document.
Become acquainted with all boards & commissions
My acquaintance with appointments to boards and commissions dates back to 1993. I had just begun working in the PR department at Naper Settlement at which time I received a crash course defining the distinctive differences between the Naper Settlement Museum Board (a City board) and the Naperville Heritage Society (a nonprofit organization known to connect visitors to Naperville’s rich history at the 19th century outdoor museum village.)
Back then, signs at the entrance to the City posted the population at 89,000.
Our family was new to Naperville and our neighborhood was still developing where the old Book Farm used to be. When some issues regarding stop signs became a bone of contention among a few homeowners, Mayor Sam Macrane, whom I’d met at Naper Settlement, suggested we “attend tab.”
I’ll always credit the then-mayor with educating me that “TAB” was the short acronym for “Transportation Advisory Board,” a well-attended and active board back when our City quickly was growing. For many months I attended then-Saturday morning TAB meetings, getting a taste of the commitment many of our fellow Napervillians were giving to their community.
The recently updated guide also includes acronyms that stand for the title of boards and commissions as well as short ways to address the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that might apply to serving.
Meetings, meetings & more meetings
Our city has long been known for its can-do spirit of volunteerism. Dating back more than 190 years, folks who settled here, many generous and innovative risktakers, have contributed their skill sets before and after hours to help build this vibrant community.
Here’s hoping this new overview of boards and commissions will attract dedicated volunteers willing and able to make a difference for the future. Perhaps serving on a board or commission also will help prepare individuals to run for elected office.
In addition to the City’s boards and commissions, our community supports many nonprofit foundations, arts organizations, special events, annual festivals, summer band concerts and other activities managed by all-volunteer committees that welcome folks to contribute time and talents. —Stephanie Penick / PN
Can-do spirit is recognized at City Council meeting
City Council meets / 7PM First & Third Tuesdays most months
The Naperville City Council meets in Council Chambers, located in the Municipal Center at 400 S. Eagle Street. Click here for the agenda and find ways to watch the meetings live, streaming online or later in the archive.
