Help me help Syracuse: Opportunities to Serve on Local Boards & Commissions
July 21st 2026
Serving our community across Onondaga County and Syracuse is an incredible honor, but doing it effectively means knowing when to share the workload. Over the years, I have served on a wide range of volunteer local boards, commissions, and community organizations. While I am deeply proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, I am actively looking to lighten my workload by recruiting passionate community members to fill my seats and step into leadership roles with these groups.
Many of these volunteer boards carry out vital work every single day, shaping housing policy, restoring blighted properties, defending tenant rights, and advancing social and economic justice. To ensure these organizations continue to thrive with fresh energy and dedication, I want to connect them with residents who care deeply about our neighborhoods. My role on each volunteer board is different, and how you help might not be directly replacing me, but just in bringing yourself into a conversation that needs you.
My role ranges from the Vice-Chair of the Land Bank, to the interim chair of the CNY WFP Club’s fun Committee. If you’re interested, sign up below and let me know if you’re interested. The time commitment also ranges from one meeting every 3 months, to some of the groups meet multiple times a month. I cannot guarentee you a spot on any of the volunteer boards; however, I have spoken with leadership of just about all of these boards, and all of them are interested in bringing new voices to the process.
Here are the key organizations and boards I have done volunteer work for, where I am looking for great people to help serve:
Greater Syracuse Land Bank: A local public authority and nonprofit created to acquire vacant, abandoned, or tax-delinquent properties in Syracuse and Onondaga County, stabilizing and returning them to productive use to strengthen neighborhoods and boost the local tax base. Learn More: https://syracuselandbank.org/about/
Welch Terrace: A specialized residential property managed by Christopher Community, Inc. that provides affordable one-bedroom apartments tailored for individuals living with HIV-related disabilities. Learn More: community.org/welchterraceapartments
Greater Syracuse Tenants Network: An advocacy organization that empowers low-income tenants across Central New York by helping form tenant associations, offering leadership training, and working to preserve safe, affordable housing. Learn More: https://syracusetenant.org/about/
Moving People's Transportation Coalition: A Syracuse-based grassroots collective and organizing space dedicated to community building, mutual aid, and direct action. Learn More: https://www.instagram.com/movingpeoplesyr/
New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN): A statewide network of grassroots chapters that advances progressive policies, supports reform candidates, and builds political power for working people across New York. Learn More: https://nypan.org/about/our-story
Central Working Families Party Club: A multiracial political organization that recruits, trains, and elects progressive candidates to fight for worker rights, economic justice, and stronger social safety nets. Learn More: https://workingfamilies.org/about/
What does serving on a local board or commission involve?
Board members provide governance, oversight, and strategic direction for public and non-profit organizations. Responsibilities typically include attending regular meetings (usually monthly or bi-monthly), reviewing policy proposals, and advocating for the needs of local residents.
Do I need prior board experience to apply?
Grassroots campaigns succeed because of volunteers who knock doors, make phone calls, host events, donate, and encourage neighbors to vote. Their work makes campaigns possible.
What is the time commitment for these positions?
Time commitments vary depending on the specific board or organization, but most require anywhere from 2 to 6 hours per month for meeting preparation and attendance.
Are these positions paid or volunteer?
Most local advisory boards, municipal commissions, and non-profit seats are voluntary community service roles. All of these are volunteer positions.