Behind The Scenes, Jeannie Michelson Runs Worcester Government Overseeing Volunteer Boards

WORCESTER, MA — If you want to become a Worcester City Hall insider, get in touch with Jeannie Michelson.

The longtime city employee is the driving force behind the city's corps of nearly 200 volunteers who serve on boards and commissions that deal with everything from zoning to human rights. She recently marked 30 years as the liaison to the Citizen Advisory Council, a volunteer board that itself interviews Worcester residents to serve on boards and commissions.

To mark the occasion, Michelson wants to remind Worcester residents about all the opportunities available to help run the city. There are more than 30 vacancies right now, and she wants to fill those seats with people from diverse demographic groups and neighborhoods.

"I'm always surprised at the caliber and quality of people who come forward, who want to contribute and keep Worcester going," she said. "But we always need more applicants."

Michelson is always looking for volunteers, but is especially looking for residents who might not know about opportunities to help run the city. Local residents who are very engaged with local government tend to find seats on boards and commissions, but the city is trying to reach new people, and recruit from parts of the city that are underrepresented. City Manager Eric Batista — who ultimately appoints volunteers — said he'd like to reach more people in the 18 to 25 age range, for example.

Michelson doesn't just sit back and wait for volunteers. You'll see her out and about, answering questions and talking to potential recruits at events like neighborhood meetings and the upcoming Pride Worcester Festival. She even helps recruit from local high schools as students turn 18.

"Anywhere we can go to spread the word, we'll try to be there," she said.

Through community outreach, Michelson has improved underrepresented groups on boards and commissions: the percentage of women volunteers rose from 37 percent a decade ago to 40 percent today; people of color are now 30 percent of volunteers, compared to 20 percent a decade ago.

Being a Worcester resident is one of the most basic requirements to serve on a board or commission, although some have specific requirements, like residency in a specific council district. But from there, residents can apply for seats that fit their interests and experience. Worcester has nearly 40 boards and commissions, each with a varying number of members. Some boards are only advisory, providing policy advice to city leaders on topics like Latino affairs and handicap accessibility. Others have more direct duties, like the License Commission overseeing restaurants, festivals and bars, and the Worcester Redevelopment Authority overseeing urban revitalization and facilities like Union Station.

If you want to get involved, your first stop should be the city's boards and commissions page, which lists all the vacancies. As of Monday, there were openings on boards including the Worcester Arts Council (the most popular board, Michelson says), the Zoning Board of Appeals and the advisory commissions on LGBTQ+ and African-American and Black Affairs — two separate commissions that are among the newest in Worcester.

After filling out an online application, volunteers interview with the Citizen Advisory Council at a selection meeting. The CAC recently began holding those meetings monthly to speed up the recruitment process. Selected candidates then meet with a liaison to a given board or commission, and then Batista.

"Within two months, you know whether you're appointed or not," Michelson said of the whole process.

Batista credited Michelson with building an efficient, effective process to recruit volunteers from across the city. Most important, he said, Michelson treats every applicant well, respecting their desire to serve even if they don't make it through the process.

"It just shows the level of commitment our employees have," he said.

Even after 30 years, Michelson has plenty left to do. Worcester's volunteer boards and commissions are always evolving and expanding with the addition of the Black and LGBTQ+ commissions, and the Community Preservation Committee, which was created after voters elected to accept the Community Preservation Act in 2022.

Serving on a board or commission is also one of the most direct ways to make change in Worcester, she said. If you can't stand the lack of trees in Worcester, for example, serving on the Urban Forestry Tree Commission is the fastest way to address that problem. Worried about affordable housing? The new Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board of Trustees might be for you.

"Serving on local board or commissions is the most effective way [to make change in government]," she said. "Local boards are the way to get things done."