In the City Hall Council Chambers, Mayor Backer sits where she would during a Human Rights Commission meeting. The HRC was the last commissions to be filled up for 2024, as one spot will remain vacant until an appointment at the next City Council meeting.

NEW ULM — For citizens looking to have an impact in New Ulm, being on a commission could be the way to go.

There are currently 17 active commissions in New Ulm. This includes Airport Advisory, Energy Awareness, Heritage Preservation, and Human Rights among others.

Commissions range from 5-11 members each, with additional members also serving on certain boards. Each board meets once a month, and some boards don’t meet every month depending on the amount of agenda items and members present.

Commission members usually serve three-year terms, and 2023 was the first year Mayor Kathleen Backer faced a wave of terms ending. When the dust settled, there were 32 appointments across all of the active commissions. Of these, 16 were re-appointed to another term and 16 were appointed for the first time.

“We were able to appoint people from all across the gamut age-wise,” Backer said. “One of the persons was in their 20s and one was in the early 80s. What I like about that is the mix of people with experience and expertise able to mentor those that are coming in.”

Backer said the biggest struggle she faces is getting the word out about how accessible it is to serve on a commission. She said a recent meeting with Network New Ulm showed this lack of awareness and what can happen when it’s addressed.

“There were 30 in the group,” Backer said. “Only one knew about the boards and commissions. Out of the group, four took applications. I see it as my duty to inform people about these opportunities. It’s individuals like you that have an opportunity to serve on a board or commission and have a say in how our community is shaped and the services it provides.”

Backer said many of the applications she receives for boards are from her or other city officials reaching out to prospective individuals. Without that, only two to four applications are received without interaction with city officials.

And positions don’t always get filled on time. Backer said a Planning Commission and Human Rights Commission spot were both still vacant at the beginning of 2024. The planning seat has already been filled, and an applicant for the human rights position is expected to be appointed at the next City Council meeting.

Though all the seats are currently filled, Backer said applications are always open for future openings. She said applying earlier rather than later is also a good idea.

“We encourage people to apply because I start six months ahead of time,” Backer said. Hopefully, we have applications in already by June. If not, then I’ll start planting that seed, soliciting interest, and being able to move forward.”

For those interested in potentially joining a commission, but unsure where to start, Backer recommends looking at meeting agendas and attending meetings in person.

“Go to the past agendas and minutes,” Backer said. “There they can take a look at who’s serving on those commissions and what the action items might be so they can go to future meetings. They can see these different things will come up.”

The application can be filled out by anyone, and none of the boards or commissions require a college degree or lengthy experience in an area to serve.

To fill out an application and find out more about all 17 commissions and their functions, visit https://www.newulmmn.gov/269/Boards-Commissions. The application must be printed out and brought to City Hall once finished.