August 16, 2007

Santa Clara County seeks volunteers for boards, commissions

Santa Clara County is seeking dynamic volunteers to participate on its boards and commissions that serve in an advisory role to the board of supervisors for social service, human relations, domestic violence, parks and recreation, sister county cultural relationships and consumer affairs issues.

Each member of the board of supervisors appoints volunteers to represent their district on commissions and boards. Terms are three to four years and each member of a commission may serve up to three consecutive terms. Appointments are made on a regular basis. All volunteer positions are unpaid. All board and commission meetings are held at the County Government Center and are open to the public.

For more information, a list of vacancies, or an application, visit the Boards and Commissions Web page at www.sccgov.org/portal/site/bnc or contact the Office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Records Unit at (408) 299-5001. You may also contact your individual supervisor’s office. Applications should be returned to the Office of the Clerk of the Board at 70 W. Hedding St., 10th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110.

Below is a list and description of the vacancies.

Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities acts in an advisory capacity in reviewing and evaluating the needs, services, facilities and special problems of people in the county with disabilities.

Airports Commission
The Airports Commission advises on matters of policy concerning the operations, long-term financing, capital improvements and the acquisition of land or airspace for the county’s airport system; reviews and make recommendations on research studies; makes recommendations on cooperation with military airports and joint use arrangements; and assists in the implementation and review of the county Airports Master Plan.

Animal Advisory Commission
The Animal Advisory Commission aids in coordinating and promoting pet population control measures; to investigate and find ways of achieving an animal shelter at minimum cost; to make suggestions to strengthen the county animal control program; to serve as an information and referral source on animals; and to educate the public about animal issues.

Child Abuse Council
The Child Abuse Council provides a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, treatment and legal processing of child abuse cases; to promote public awareness of the abuse of children and the resources available for intervention and treatment; to recommend improvements in services to families and victims to the board of supervisors; and, to screen candidates for the Allocations Committee which recommends programs to be funded with the Children’s Trust fund.

Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women promotes the board of supervisor's policy to take affirmative action to eliminate the practice of discrimination and prejudice on account of sex in the areas of housing, employment, education and related fields.

Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission
The Consumer Affairs Commission’s duties are to assist and advise the director of Consumer Affairs related to the interests of consumers; to consult and cooperate with various agencies to prevent duplication of efforts in the field of consumer protection; and to receive complaints and inquiries from consumers regarding deceptive or unfair trade practices in the county.

Domestic Violence Council
The Domestic Violence Council’s purpose is to encourage coordination between agencies dealing with domestic violence; promoting effective prevention, intervention and treatment techniques; and improving the response to domestic violence and abuse to reduce incidents of violence.

Florence, province of Italy, Sister-County Commission
The commission shall act in an advisory capacity in promoting, aiding and encouraging a diverse cultural, educational and technological exchange with the Province of Florence, Italy. Appointees will have previously demonstrated their interest or participation in matters pertaining to the relationship between Italy and the United States.

Health Advisory Commission
The purpose of this commission is to act in an advisory capacity to the board of supervisors that impact the health of the public. In this advisory capacity, the commission will use information to assess needs and identify priorities to make recommendations. Recommenda-tions may include policy changes, concern service enhancement, system changes, resource allocation and infrastructure to deliver, monitor and evaluate county action.

Hsinchu County, Taiwan, Republic of China, Sister-County Commission
This commission will act in an advisory capacity in promoting, aiding and encouraging a diverse cultural, educational and technological exchange with the Hsinchu County, Taiwan, China.

Region of Moscow, Russia Sister-County Commission
This commission acts in an advisory capacity in promoting, aiding and encouraging a diverse cultural, educational and technological exchange with the region of Moscow, Russia.

Historical Heritage Commission
The Historical Heritage Commission was established on March 20, 1973. The purpose of the commission is to protect, preserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of this county so that this and future generations may know and appreciate the significant historical places, people, and events that have been a part of this area of our state and nation.

National Guard & Veterans Affairs
The National Guard & Veterans Affairs Commission acts in an advisory capacity promoting, aiding and encouraging public support to and recruitment for the National Guard and veteran affairs.

Social Services Advisory Commission
The Social Services Advisory Commission assesses community social service needs; it provides policy guidance to the board of supervisors; and it establishes working relationships with the various community organizations concerned with social services.

Human Relations Commission
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission is to take affirmative action to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in Santa Clara County because of race, religion, national origin, cultural background, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability and to promote equal rights in the fields of employment, education, housing and social justice.

Mental Health Board
The Mental Health Board was established on Nov. 14, 1966. It acts in an advisory capacity in reviewing and evaluating the community's mental health needs, services, facilities and special problems.

Personnel Board
The Personnel Board was established on May 5, 1960. It is composed of five members appointed by the board of supervisors from the voters of the county, none of who shall hold any salaried county office or employment with a term of four years. No member of the board, during membership, or for one year thereafter, shall be eligible for appointment to any salaried county office or employment.

Parks & Recreation Commission
The duties of the Parks and Recreation Commission are to promote, aid and encourage public recreation. It will advise in the planning, maintenance, development and operation of all recreational areas and facilities owned, controlled or leased by the county. It shall study and make recommendations to on the acquisition and development of recreation areas.

Senior Care Commission
The general purposes of the Senior Care Commission is to assess issues, concerns and needs of persons over age 60 with restricted self care capabilities who are in need of institutional and/or community-based, long-term care, and to make recommendations to regarding legislation, education and services affecting this population.