Have you ever asked yourself how to actually make a difference in your community—not just talk about it, but be in the room where decisions are made?

Here’s something most people don’t realize: you can be appointed by the State of California to serve on a board or commission—at the local or state level. These positions help shape policies, oversee programs, and hold government accountable.

A strong democracy doesn’t happen by accident—it depends on people stepping up, getting involved, and taking ownership of their communities. That’s why I encourage you to take that next step and apply to serve on a board, committee, or commission.

The process is more accessible than you might think. While application steps vary, all openings are publicly posted on department websites, as well as the Governor’s and the Speaker’s appointment pages. Here’s how to get started:

How to Apply for a Governor-Appointed Position:

• To view the index of Appointed Positions, please visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/appointments/. At the webpage, you will find an index of all Governor-appointed positions to review with indications of whether they are salaried, per diem, or non-compensated.
• To begin the application process, please visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/appointments-application/. Here you will find all the application instructions.

How to Apply for a Speaker-Appointed Position:

• To access the Speaker’s appointment webpage, please visit https://speaker.asmdc.org/appointments.
• To start your application and view the list of boards and commissions, please visit https://speaker.asmdc.org/appointments/how-to-apply.
• In addition, the Speaker’s Appointment Office also conducts seminars throughout California. For a list of upcoming seminars, please contact the Speaker’s office at Speaker.Appointments@asm.ca.gov.

How to Learn More about a Senate President Pro Tempore-Appointed Position:

• Please contact the Senate Appointments Office at 916-651-4151.

If you have any questions or need any help, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.