Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute
This six-month fellowship prepares a cohort of activists & grassroots leaders to become effective advocates serving on a public board or commission.
Step Up Maryland is proud to partner with Urban Habitat to offer the Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute.
Since 2010, the BCLI program has trained leaders from marginalized communities and placed hundreds of local commissioners across the country and has been instrumental in advancing policy to protect at-risk communities.
What to Expect
- Meet for a full day, one Saturday per month, plus one evening session for six months
- Work closely with seasoned trainers and local experts to map the roles of different boards and develop a deep, strategic grasp of both their historic impact on policy decisions and present opportunities they pose for transformative progress.
- Apply critical thinking to question who benefits and who is burdened by policy decisions, with special focus on race and class dynamics, and develop novel, effective solutions that integrate community participation and perspective.
- Develop and hone skills for power analysis, peer-to-peer relationship building, and organizing.
- Learn how to operate in complex and intersecting policy arenas, navigate the culture and language of commissions, and build effective relationships in and outside the commission.
- Assistance navigating commission appointment process.
I had the privilege of being a fellow in the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) and found it to be an incredibly valuable experience. The program provided practical tools and insights that immediately enhanced my leadership skills. The Step Up Marylyand facilitators were knowledgeable and created a collaborative environment where participants could openly share and learn from each other. Overall, it was an enriching experience that left me more confident and prepared to serve on executive boards and commissions.
William "Tipper" Thomas, BCLI 2016
Member, Baltimore Fair Election Fund Commission
Former Member, Governor’s Commission on Redistricting
