Appointments Project® Expands to Four New Cities Across Kansas City Metro to Increase Women’s Participation on Boards and Commissions
Kansas City, MO – March 16, 2021 – The Office of Mayor Eileen Weir and United WE today announce their collaborative partnership to increase the number of women on local boards and commissions through the Appointments Project®. Independence is the fourth community in the Kansas City metropolitan area to experience the expansion of the award-winning Appointments Project program.
The Appointments Project is the only program in the country that helps women get appointed to boards and commissions at the city, county and state level. In the past six months, the program has expanded across the metropolitan area including Lee’s Summit, Jackson County, Kansas City, Missouri, and now Independence. Of the nearly 40 board and commission appointments in Independence, more than 40% are female.
Started in 2014, the Appointments Project® has successfully placed more than 140 women on boards and commissions, including 28 percent women of color.
“There is a need in Independence to increase gender parity and improve representation across civic leadership to ensure we’re drawing on the talents and diversity of all our residents,” Mayor Weir said. “Our partnership with United WE and the Appointments Project® is strengthening our city and the Kansas City area as a whole by increasing the number of women, including women of color, who are at the decision-making table of their communities.”
United WE’s Appointments Project® serves as a talent bank, advisor and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through the process of applying for these positions and facilitates applicants for appointment.
“Our research showed us that women don’t become civically engaged because they weren’t being asked. As a result, we created the Appointments Project® so local boards and commissions could reflect the communities they serve,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President & CEO. “We have seen great progress both nationwide and in our local communities, and with the help of partners like Mayor Weir we are working together to address the gender disparities in local leadership to make real changes in our communities.”
Based on a growing number of success stories, the pipeline of women leaders is growing rapidly across the country and in 2020 the program expanded to Pittsburgh, PA, and Fort Worth, TX. The Appointments Project® fills a critical need in creating a pathway to work with elected officials and better community representation that leads to better lives for all.
Mayor Weir is joined in partnership by community partners the Junior Service League and Independence Chamber of Commerce, who will support the program by encouraging diverse participation in the Appointments Project.
A public training event is planned for April 7, at 12:00 p.m. CST. This event helps guide women through the process of applying for these positions and offers applicants for appointments.
“We encourage and invite all Independence and Kansas City metro women to learn more and join us in unlocking women’s potential for civic leadership,” Mayor Weir said.
To learn more about the Appointments Project® and to sign up for the training, please visit http://united-we.org/appointments-project.
To hear more from Mayor Weir about the partnership, please visit https://youtu.be/KOOqavBzjQw.
To hear more about United WE and the Appointment project from President & CEO Wendy Doyle, please visit https://youtu.be/68Q4BXVuY0g.