How to get appointed to state boards and commissions : a directory

50 Pages·2003·1.9 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

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How A
to Get Appointed to State Boards and Commissions: Directory
UMASS/AMHERST *
Women
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of
The Charles F. Hurley Building
19 Staniford Street, 6th Floor
MA
Boston, 02114
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.mass.gov/women
mam mm

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status ofWomen
Marianne Fleckner, Chair
Elaine Guiney, Vice-Chair
Jo Anne Thompson, Secretary
Barbara Gomes-Beach, Treasurer
Kathleen A. Casavant
Martha (Martie) B. Chadwick
Donna Finneran
Mary Clare Higgins
Frances X. Hogan
Dr. Helen Jackson
Mary Reardon-Johnson
Dianne Luby
Dr. Roseanna H. Means
Angela Menino
Nilka Alvarez-Rodriguez
I.
Susana Segat
Kateri Walsh
Staff
Linda Brantley, Executive Director
Paula Daddona, Program Coordinator Webmaster
/
MASSACHUSETTSCOMMISSIONONTHESTATUSOFWOMEN

Introduction
Digitized by the Internet Archive
2015
in
https://archive.org/details/howtogetappointeOOmass
,
Introduction
The mission of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status ofWomen (MCSW) is to provide a permanent, effective voice for
women across Massachusetts. The Commission stands for fundamental freedoms, basic human rights and the full enjoyment of
life for all women throughout their lives.
In addition, the Commission is empowered to identify and recommend qualified women for appointive positions at all levels of
government, including Boards and Commissions. The Commission believes it is imperative that more women participate in the
policy and decision-making processes oftheir state and local governments. Through this involvement, all women’s voices will be
betterheard throughout the Commonwealth.
This publication, which provides a listing ofthe major Massachusetts state Boards and Commissions, is a special project created to
provide women easy access to information about the many opportunities available to them. The goal ofthe project is to increase
women’s participation and representation in state government. State Boards and Commissions are a significant component ofstate
government. Members are able to affect public policy, network and access state policy makers, and represent their constituencies
and perspectives. The Commission hopes that the creation and wide distribution of this directory will educate and encourage
women to seek out appointments and play an active role in their communities and state. This activity will ultimately increase the
number ofqualified female candidates and further the accountability ofstate government in fulfilling its responsibility to address
women’s issues and concerns.
History oftheMassachusetts Commission on theStatus ofWomen
Law enacted the Massachusetts Commission on the Status ofWomen in May 1998 under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 3
Section 66. The United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in September 1995 inspired the legislation.
One result ofthis conference was the Beijing Platform for Action, which recommended that the state and the federal government
support councils, commissions, networks, and other organizations that focus on women’s issues. Specifically, the Platform
directed state governments to "form and adequately fund Women’s Commissions in all states and territories where they do not
already exist" (Building on Beijing: United States NGOs Shape a Women ’s National Action Agenda published by The Stanley
Foundation July 1997).
MASSACHUSETTSCOMMISSIONONTHESTATUSOFWOMEN-Introduction

The Commission consists of 19 women of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, age and sexual
orientation whom are appointed by state officials. The MCSW is empowered to study, review and report on the status ofwomen
in the Commonwealth; inform leaders of business, education, healthcare, state and local governments and the communications
media of issues pertaining to women; serve as a clearinghouse for information on issues pertaining to women; identify and
recommend qualified women for appointive positions at all levels ofgovernment, including boards and commissions; and promote
and facilitate collaboration among local women's commissions and among women’s organizations in the state.
Based on statewide public hearings, the Commission has established two top priorities: Violence Against Women and Childcare.
In response to these concerns, the Commission has established task forces, endorsed legislation, participated and provided
assistance in conferences and forums and has collaborated with community organizations confronting issues of sexual assault,
domestic violence, early childhood education and the inequitable wages for childcare workers.
How to Use theDirectory
This directory is intended to inform and help you in the early stages of seeking an appointment to a state board or commission.
Listings are organized alphabetically by organization. Information provided for each board or commission includes the appointing
authority, the number ofappointments per organization, enabling legislation and contact information. Appointments are made by
the Governor, the State Legislature, or state agency officials.
GettinsStarted
When you have identified a board or commission that interests you, use the text ofthe enabling law to learn more about specific
duties of the organization and the role you would play if appointed. You can locate this information on the Massachusetts
government portal at: www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/mgllink.htm. Enter the chapter and section listed in the directory and this
will produce a summary ofthe purpose and duties ofthe organization. As the descriptions within the general laws range in detail,
you may want to contact the office ofthe organization ofyour choice at the number provided to request material on the board or
commission in which you are interested, or find out about any meetings that you may attend. It may also be possible to contact
present commissioners orboard members in orderto get a better sense ofwhat is involved in the work ofthe organization.
If you find that the organization in which you are interested has been recognized by an executive order, it is best to contact the
office that has the responsibility of appointing commissioners or board members for more information. You may also visit the
MASSACHUSETTSCOMMISSIONONTHESTATUSOFWOMEN-Introduction