November 12, 2012

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

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.

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.

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.

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. ed 754 potential respondents in April Response rate of 34.5% Member/Applicant Focus Groups Annual Community Survey 400 community members

Women apply and are appointed at 40%.

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.

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.

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 % people aged %+ of people aged and older Education: +/-40% of people with HS/Equivalent or less Household income Race/ethnicity

Household income

Ethnicity/Race

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

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.

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.

Cross train board/commission members and encourage them to try something new. Encourage women to apply. Promote/support “Women on Board Workshops.”

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