There are boards and commissions that are provided for by statute, such as planning commissions, zoning boards of appeals, charter commissions, and boards of review. Then there are advisory voluntary committees, boards, and commissions that municipalities create to assist in the many governing tasks for which they are responsible. These types of boards are at the discretion of the municipal body, and they should be set up with care. The board members should know exactly what they are responsible for, what their authority is, and what they are supposed to accomplish. The board should have bylaws or meeting rules that establish basics such as how members are appointed, how long they serve, and the number that constitutes a quorum.

The Open Meetings Act and Local Boards and Commissions (the Review, Winter 2025)

Sample Ordinances

Sample applications/recruitment/appointment

Alpena (HRC) pop. 10,197, City Boards Recruitment, Appointment, Education Strategy

Belleville (HRC) pop. 4,008, application

Grayling (HRC) pop. 1,867, application

Marquette (HRC) pop. 20,629, Policy Governing Appointment to Boards, Commissions and Committees

Sample guidelines/handbooks

Decatur (GLV) pop. 1,651, Guidelines and Policies for Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Grand Rapids (HRC) pop. 198,197, Citizen Board or Commission Member Handbook

Houghton (HRC) pop. 8,386, Boards and Commissions Handbook

Mount Clemens (HRC) pop. 15,697, Boards & Committees Handbook

Niles (HRC) pop. 11,988, Boards and Commissions Policy Handbook

Sturgis (HRC) pop. 11,082, Boards and Commissions Handbook