ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton is encouraging all Minnesotans to apply for appointment to one of over 200 openings on Minnesota boards, councils, and commissions. These bodies draw upon the expertise of Minnesotans to help build a better Minnesota that works for everyone.

 

“I encourage all Minnesotans, who are interested in serving our state, to consider applying for openings on Minnesota’s state boards, councils, and commissions,” said Governor Dayton. “These bodies make essential contributions to our state, and should reflect the rich diversity of the Minnesotans they serve.”

 

Among the over 200 current openings on state boards, councils, and commissions are seats with the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Commission on Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans, Council on Disability, Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, and many more. To see a full list of board, council, and committee openings and apply, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. To assure full consideration, applications are due by Monday, November 27, 2017.

 

Governor Dayton is committed to ensuring that state government reflects the rich diversity of the Minnesotans it serves. In January of 2015, Governor Dayton established the Diversity and Inclusion Council, which works to improve the recruiting and retention of state employees from diverse backgrounds, improve contracting opportunities for businesses owned by Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, and increase civic engagement in traditionally underrepresented communities in the State of Minnesota.

 

Improving inclusion and diversity at all levels of state government, including state boards and commissions, is a priority of the administration, and key to meeting the needs of those we serve. The Minnesota State Demographer projects that Minnesota’s People of Color and Indigenous People populations will increase from 14 percent of the total population in 2005 to 25 percent of the total population in 2035. Currently, in 2017, People of Color and Indigenous People make up 19 percent of the total population.

 

To effectively provide services, the State of Minnesota workforce must keep pace with the changing demographics of the entire state. To accomplish this goal, Governor Dayton appointed James Burroughs as the Chief Inclusion Officer to lead the efforts of the Diversity and Inclusion Council. The Diversity and Inclusion Council has developed a strategic framework for all Cabinet Level Commissioners and these agencies have begun to integrate identified diversity and inclusion goals and metrics into their work.

 

The Office of Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith has collaborated with the Olmstead Implementation Office, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and Nexus Community Partners to organize seven informational sessions over the next several weeks throughout Minnesota. Anyone interested in meeting others who have served, hearing about current opportunities, and learning how to apply should visit the Department of Human Rights’ website.