Beyond Vacancies: Building Strong and Enduring Municipal Boards

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Volunteer boards and committees are essential to local government in New Hampshire.

Many communities face challenges recruiting and retaining members on their Select Board, Budget Committee, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, School Board and other boards and committees. Recruitment often starts when a vacancy arises, yet building strong boards is an ongoing process that starts well before there are open seats.

Make Board Work Visible and Accessible

Many residents are unfamiliar with what boards do and how to get involved. Municipalities can address this by:

Sharing regular updates, including summaries of board projects and priorities, through the municipality's website, newsletters, and social media
Developing digestible summaries of what boards are working on, which can be shared in regular town administration/manager reports and/or independently
Offering varied ways for residents to participate and share ideas at community events, at in-person and virtual forums, and by joining an ad-hoc committee

When boards are visible and welcoming, more residents may consider getting involved and serving.

Retention Comes First

People are more likely to serve when board work is meaningful, organized, and respectful. Retention depends on:

Clear expectations and defined roles
Meetings that are efficient and inclusive
Positive relationships among board members, staff, and elected officials
Recognition of volunteer contributions

Boards that support and value their members are more likely to retain them and attract new volunteers through positive experiences.

Promote Coordination and Support

Boards are most effective when they effectively communicate and collaborate. Communities can:

Encourage joint meetings and regular communication across boards
Align subcommittees with board priorities
Create clear expectations for liaison roles
Ensure the roles of staff and board members are clearly delineated

Good coordination helps reduce confusion and burnout.

Focus on Effective Meetings

Meetings shape the experience of board service. They should:

Follow a clear agenda with effective facilitation
Stay on time and on topic
Include a variety of voices
Adhere to established procedures and by-laws
Provide meaningful opportunities for public participation

Boards should periodically assess their meeting structure and adjust as needed.

Balance Business with Broader Work

Fulfilling core responsibilities is essential, but often residents are drawn to board service because they want to contribute beyond decision-making. Consider incorporating:

Learning and skill-building opportunities
Strategic planning and goal setting
Community engagement outside of meetings
Work sessions for in-depth discussion and problem-solving

These activities, when scheduled regularly, can strengthen both the board and the volunteer experience.

Recognize and Appreciate Volunteers

Acknowledging service helps volunteers feel valued and stay engaged. Recognition can take many forms:

Public thanks at town meeting
Personal expressions of appreciation
Features in newsletters or on social media

Simple gestures of appreciation make a difference.

Questions to Consider

When you’re ready to assess your board, ask:

Are our meetings efficient and welcoming?
Do members understand their roles?
Is there support for new members?
Are we creating pathways for involvement by future board members?
How well do we collaborate with other boards and staff?

Even small steps, such as reviewing and revising by-laws, scheduling a workshop or convening a planning session, can lead to meaningful improvements.

Build a Culture of Service

Sustaining municipal boards is about more than filling vacancies. It means creating an environment where serving the community is supported, purposeful, and valued. Communities that invest in this work benefit from stronger local governance and civic engagement.