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.
Emailed 754 potential respondents in April 2011.
Response rate of 34.5%
Member/Applicant Focus Groups
Annual Community Survey
400 community members

Women apply and are appointed at 40%.
Citizens' Capital Budget Advisory Committee
Citizens' Transit Advisory Group
Civil Service Board
Board of Equalization and Review
Criminal Justice Citizen's Advisory Committee
Community Relations Committee
Planning Commission
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Adult Care Home Advisory Committee
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

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.

Survey Respondents
4%
26%
0%
1%
1%
1%
Mecklenburg County 2010
67%
African American
American Indian
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Multi Racial
White
Prefer not to answer
51%
30%
2%
12%
0%
5%
African American
American Indian
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Multi Racial
White

• 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 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

90
Household income
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Less than
$20,000/year
$20K-$39,999 $40K-$59,999 $60K-$79,999 $80K-$99,999 $100K-$149,999 $150K+

60
50
70
Ethnicity/Race
40
30
20
10
0
African American/Black Caucasian/White Latino/Hispanic Other

Respondents learn of boards in multiple ways, TV and the newspaper being the most frequently cited
Other
NC Center for Women in Public Service, LWV
Civic Organization
Friend/Neighbor/at Church
Family Member
Colleague
Elected Officials
Char-Meck Website
Radio
Television
Newspaper
0,0 5,0 10,0 15,0 20,0 25,0 30,0 35,0 40,0 45,0

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.”
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

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