Serving on the Commission
The Commission is an advisory body of fifty volunteer members who represent the diverse interests and needs of the LGBTQ+ youth community that are reflected in our policy recommendations to state agencies, resources we curate, and training and assistance we provide to school districts.
The majority of the everyday Commission work is carried out by paid staff. However, there are many different ways that members participate, from conducting research, developing legislative testimony, evaluating and advising on our school programs, and more. Members are responsible for guiding the Commission’s direction and serving as ambassadors for our work in the outside world.
Commission member responsibilities include:
- Joining a team or committee that meets roughly once a month, which include action-oriented teams such as legislative advocacy, working groups to conduct research or inform policy and programming, and internal committees on racial justice or membership selection
- Participating in four full Commission meetings each year
- Active involvement in Commission events, initiatives, and member communications
As public servants, Commission members must:
- Comply with state conflict of interest and open meeting laws
- Provide responsible oversight of taxpayer funds
- Be listed with their full name on the Commission’s website and printed annual report (although, which name is listed is at your discretion)
How to Become a Commissioner
The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth is comprised of:
- 27 members appointed by twelve community based or professional organizations in the areas of education, health, and advocacy.
- 23 members of the public self-nominated through an open application process and selected by existing members.
Members serve for staggered terms of two years each, renewable, with no term limit. Each year there are roughly 8-14 seats available to the public, some of which are filled by returning members who have reapplied, and some of which are filled by new applicants. In recent years, the selection committee has received between 70-90 new applications per cycle, meaning the process is highly selective, with a selection rate for new applicants between 7-18%.
Anyone residing in Massachusetts is invited to apply. There is no age minimum or maximum and no experience required. The selection committee strives to build a membership class that reflects the diversity of LGBTQ+ youth and their allies around the state, across dimensions such as race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, education level, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from those who identify as youth, trans and nonbinary, and BIPOC, as well as those with lived experience with homelessness, the justice system, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other issues facing marginalized people in our community.
2024-25 Commission Member Application Cycle
The next membership term begins January 1, 2024 and ends December 31, 2025. The application for this 2024-2025 term is available online, and will remain open through November 1, 2023.