Applications Due By Sunday, November 29, 2020, 11:59 pm CST

Nashville has the powers to improve people’s lives through its boards, commissions, and authorities by creating good jobs, improving schools, investing in affordable housing, protecting immigrants, and supporting climate justice. Yet, these powers have prioritized corporations and developers over people for the sake of profit. A big reason for current inequalities is that the vast majority of people appointed to boards and commissions do not come from low-income, working-class, or communities of color. To build the Nashville we need, these boards and commissions must include individuals from these communities to champion racial and economic equity on a daily basis.

SUN is committed to creating a Nashville of, by, and for the people! That is why we are launching our Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute. The purpose of the program is to reimagine policymaking for the common good by training and supporting individuals from Black, Brown, Immigrant, and working-class communities to serve on boards and commissions with the explicit goal of advancing equitable policies. 

The program begins with an intensive six-month training. It provides fellows with a framework to deepen their understanding about economic development, employment, housing, land use, and transit through an intersectional lens that includes race and class. We also help you develop and hone essential commissioner skills, which includes power mapping, learning about “inside/outside” strategy, Robert’s Rules, and much more.

Why To Apply?

• Join a network of social justice advocates influencing policy decisions on local commissions, boards, and authorities.

• Gain a deeper knowledge of and the ability to apply a race and class analysis to local economic development, housing, employment, land use, and transit policies.  

• Participate in a facilitated learning community of field experts, trainers, advocate commissioners, grassroots organizers, and elected officials who will share best practices, lessons learned, and key concepts.
• Learn commissioner skills such as power/network mapping, Robert’s Rules of Order, and the inside/outside strategy.

The Ideal BCLI Candidate Is:

• Committed to serving on a commission as a strategy to advance justice for low-income communities and communities of color.

• Knowledgeable about or interested in shaping economic development, housing, employment, land use, and transit policies.

• Knowledgeable about or interested in the public policymaking process and someone with political acumen.

• Someone with a strong reputation and relationships with grassroots organizations, advocates, and decision-makers.

2021 Schedule (Participants are required to participate in all gatherings and webinars.)

Orientation and Celebrations

• Monday, January 25, 2021, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Orientation 
• Friday, February 12, 2021, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Program Launch Celebration 
• Friday, July 23, 2021, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Commencement 

Mini Sessions (Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm)

• February 8 & 15
• March 8 & 15
• April 5 & 12
• May 3 & 10
• June 7 & 14
• July 12

Full Sessions (Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

• February 20
• March 20
• April 17
• May 15
• June 19
• July 17

Application Checklist

• Application form link: https://forms.gle/B3oker7Rk2t2C5hq9
• Nomination Letter. See details below. 
• Resume. Please include one reference who can speak to your professional qualifications. 

Nomination Letter Guidelines

In order to identify candidates who will be accountable to low-income communities and communities of color, we require a nomination letter from a grassroots or advocacy organization. Please ask your nominating organization to include the following information in their letter: 

• What are your organization’s campaign goals, and how do you see the applicant advancing these goals on their commission of interest? 
• How will your organization hold the applicant accountable to your campaign goals and members once they are placed on a commission or board? 
• How will your organization support the applicant’s service as a commissioner? 

The applicant is responsible for making sure all of their components are submitted, including nomination letters. 

How Do I apply?

Applications need to be submitted online by Sunday, November 15 at 11:59 pm. You can upload your resume and nomination letter in the designated area on the application form. The application can be found at: https://forms.gle/B3oker7Rk2t2C5hq9. If you are unable to apply online, email mck@standupnashville.org, for alternative ways to apply.  

Selection Process and Timeline

Selected candidates will be interviewed in late November and early December. All applicants will be notified of their status by mid-December.