Serving on a board or commission is one of the most rewarding ways to make an impact in your community. It’s meaningful work, but it’s also complex — and sometimes you may wonder if you’re the only one facing a particular challenge. The truth is, you’re not alone.
By expanding your network, you gain access to new ideas, proven solutions, and the kind of data and insights that help turn good intentions into effective action — along with encouragement from people who understand the work you’re doing. There are appointees in your city, hundreds in your region, and thousands across the country who share your commitment and face similar challenges. When you connect with them, your perspective widens and your impact grows. The power of networks transforms individual service into collective impact.
Why Appointees Need Networks
Boards and commissions often focus on specific issues within city or county boundaries. That focus keeps the work rooted in local needs, but it can also mean the perspective is limited.
By connecting with other appointees beyond your city, you expand what’s possible. You gain broader perspectives, new approaches, and shared knowledge that strengthen your service.
Networks help you:
- Learn from others’ experiences so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
- Exchange data and insights that inform better decisions and better policy.
- Discover creative solutions that work in another community and adapt them to yours.
- Feel supported and encouraged by peers who understand the unique challenges of service.
- See the bigger picture of how your work fits into regional and national movements.
- Find opportunities for collaboration that amplify impact across jurisdictions.
What GoLocal’s Network Makes Possible
Imagine you’re serving on a housing commission and your board is debating how to address affordability. By connecting with an appointee in a neighboring county through GoLocal, you hear how their inclusionary zoning policy was developed — complete with lessons learned. Suddenly, your board’s conversation has real-world context.
Or picture a parks commissioner who discovers, via a GoLocal working group, how another city expanded community engagement by meeting residents where they are — at block parties, libraries, and youth sports fields. They take that model home, adapt it, and see the same success.
Sometimes, it’s not even about policy. Maybe you’re feeling burnt out after a tough debate. Through GoLocal’s network, you hear from a peer in another state who faced the same thing and pushed through. That reminder — that you’re part of something bigger — is often the spark that keeps you engaged.
Here’s how GoLocal makes those connections possible:
- Direct messaging & matching: Find peers in your region, county, or area of focus and connect one-on-one.
- Working groups: Join groups on housing, transportation, arts, sustainability, and more — so you can dive into issues that matter to you.
- Events and trainings: Participate in live sessions where you’ll learn, share experiences, and build your skills with others who understand your role.
- Resource library & case studies: Explore practical examples and policy successes from across the country that you can bring back to your own board.
These tools don’t just help you grow as an appointee — they expand your impact. Because when local leaders collaborate, communities benefit.
Why This Matters
Local service is powerful, but it’s even stronger when connected. A single board shapes decisions in one city. A network of boards sharing knowledge can spark ideas and momentum that ripple across regions.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. By building your network, you can gain insight, feel supported, and multiply the impact of your service.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Every community needs residents who are willing to step forward. Start by searching for a role in your city or county — it’s one of the most direct ways to get involved. If you’re already serving, now’s the time to expand your reach.
At GoLocal, we help appointees like you connect, collaborate, and thrive. Explore our resources, trainings, and working groups, follow our newsletter to join future events and receive updates when new blogs are added, and contact us to learn how we can help your community get more involved.
