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November 12, 2012

Gender and Representativeness on Appointed Government Boards and Commissions in Charlotte Mecklenburg. November 12, 2012. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’ s Summit. Background.

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November 12, 2012

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  1. Gender and Representativeness on Appointed Government Boards and Commissions in Charlotte Mecklenburg November 12, 2012 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’ s Summit

  2. Background 2008 Women’s Summit reports on gender representation on local government boards and commissions in Charlotte Mecklenburg. • Women held 46% of county appointed positions and 33% of city appointed positions • Populate less strategic/economically impactful boards • More frequently did not hold leadership positions

  3. 2009 Review of 67 city/county boards Women accounted for appointments • 45% of County Commission • 41% of City Council • 37% of Charlotte City Manager • 30% Mayoral (McCrory) 19 boards had 50%+ female membership. 13 had no female members.

  4. 2010-2012 • Analysis of participation on boards/commissions in Charlotte Mecklenburg. • Review application and appointment process. • Research best practices in application, appointment processes. • Informational sessions with City, County and Mayor’s office to share findings, discuss process recruitment and retention enhancements. • Consult with City, County and Mayor’s office on implementing and evaluating enhancements.

  5. 2012 –Board/Commission Membership • Four categories evaluated for female appointments: • Average across all Char-Meck boards – 36% • Average of boards with City and County appointments – 34% • Average of boards with City appointments - 35% • Mayoral Appointments – 39% • 42% of the boards (City and County)have less than 30% women members. • 5% have no women.

  6. Research • Member/Applicant Survey • Those who currently serve on a board/commission • Those who have recently served, but no longer are for any reason • Those who have applied, but have not been appointed. • Emailed 754 potential respondents in April 2011. • Response rate of 34.5% • Member/Applicant Focus Groups • Annual Community Survey • 400 community members

  7. Findings • Women apply and are appointed at 40%.

  8. Representativeness • Boards/Commissions are not representative of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community: • Median age = 20 years older than median age Charlotte Mecklenburg. • Higher educational attainment, wealthier. • Racial/Ethnic diversity not represented.

  9. Race/Ethnicity

  10. Getting Appointed • White men most likely to have personal connection with person who nominated them. • White women and non-white men reported networking related to appointment. • 63% of respondents reported they did not network relative to their appointment….they were already connected via professional or social networks of decision makers. • Most consistent feedback: Receipt of applications is not acknowledged.

  11. 2010 Annual Community Survey • 61% of Charlotte Mecklenburg residents aware of citizen advisory boards. • 64% 0f women surveyed were aware of boards/commissions vs. 58% of men. • Factors in awareness: • Age: • 44% people aged 18-24 • 52% people aged 25-34 • 68%+ of people aged 35-65 and older • Education: +/-40% of people with HS/Equivalent or less • Household income • Race/ethnicity

  12. Household income

  13. Ethnicity/Race

  14. Respondents learn of boards in multiple ways, TV and the newspaper being the most frequently cited

  15. Future Directions • Address the gender balance on all boards/commissions. • Determine to what extent are the most influential boards representative of the community. • Develop strategies to increase transparency in the process and of the representativeness of boards and commissions. • Active recruitment of women and minorities.

  16. Strategies for Enhancing Representativeness • Hold information sessions where people already gather to provide information about boards/commissions. • Active engagement of candidate pool - outreach to those who have applied but not yet been appointed to boards to determine interest in other vacancies.

  17. Strategies, cont’d • Cross train board/commission members and encourage them to try something new. • Encourage women to apply. • Promote/support “Women on Board Workshops.” • Annual Women on Board Workshop: December 6, 2012 8:30-4:30 pm. UNC Charlotte Center City Building. • For more information visit: www.womenssummit.uncc.edu

  18. With thanks to: • Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation • Tracy Montross, Special Assistant to Mayor Anthony Foxx • Janice Paige, Mecklenburg County Clerk • Stephanie Kelly, Charlotte City Clerk • Sophia Hollingsworth, Citizen Involvement Coordinator • Holly Whisman, Melissa Duscha and Reid Wodicka researchers

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