Dozens of positions on many government panels and committees are open today – but of course this isn’t widely publicized. Some panels pay salaries, others daily expenses or nothing at all. Community members might, or might not, not be able to dramatically shake up obscure panels, but still it’s a good type of post to pick up what’s going on – or how reality becomes bureaucratically remapped. Labor, nonprofit and environmental groups all could easily pick up assigned seats.
Applications are due for consideration November 23rd. The vacancy listings, at the Secretary of State website, include “representative who works in Bicycle Industry” for the Nonmotorized Transportation Advisory Committee, one “Member with Knowledge of Mixed Martial Arts” for the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission, members of the public for the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, and the Council on Black Minnesotans. Have you got what it takes to be the State Arts Board Member-At-Large?
Below the fold – A few lols, dozens of open panels & Info for sending applications via the SOS website. Here’s the full SOS file for browsing.
It’s a dry field with a few facets to make it more interesting – there are some panels with unusual histories or niches, plus a couple places to get a phat deal going. “Per Diem” is jargon meaning “per day” paid expenses, typically $55 for every day of meetings held. Overall it’s interesting, if dubious: many panels are essentially supposed to “stand in” or “represent” for the public group in question, yet with so little public awareness how can that be true?
Prime Panels & Tip-Top Appointments
Dolla Dolla Bill Yall – These are the Big Ticket Items & Excellent Vantage Points for The Big Deals
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
17 Slots – $20,000, Chair gets $58,489. The Big Cahuna of commissions and agencies, the Met Council, tightly controlled by the Governor’s office, is entirely turning over. Conservative ideologue & GOP gubernatorial running mate Annette Meeks will no longer hold the improbable role of Minneapolis-area representative. “It runs the region’s bus system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families.” It has been a political backwater due to its oddly non-representative structure. A good opportunity for your local bus-and-water wonk that actually pays.
MN POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
2 Slots – $55 per diem. 1 public member, 1 Labor needed. “shall meet the variety and complexity of problems relating to water, air and land resources of the state consistent with the maximum enjoyment and use thereof in furtherance of the welfare of the people.” Will industry projects get fast-tracked? Find out today inside the PCA – surely an interesting opportunity for green-issue activists.
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION (Iron Range Resources / IRRRB)
3 Slots – ? Per Diem. Must reside within a taconite assistance area. The best perch for up-north schemes without a doubt; probably the most-fun up north panel because all the deals involving taconite (iron ore mine tax) money come here. Reporter Jon Collins found they were bending open-meeting laws & regulations by meeting up in unofficial sub-groups to evaluate various business projects. Why not mix it up with the taconite tax takings?
LESSARD-SAMS OUTDOOR HERITAGE COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING COMMISSION
4 Slots including 2 public members – $55 per diem plus expenses. Makes the recommendations about the bulk of outdoor/conservation spending and presents recommendations in January. A lot of cash involved in the work of this commission, so you could get right in the mix with all this project money. “Local, regional, state, or national organizations may apply for matching grants for restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, prevention of forest fragmentation, encouragement of forest consolidation, and expansion of restored native prairie.”
CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD
2 Slots – $55 per diem, plus expenses. One Public Member / One Former DFL Legislator Member. The Campaign Finance Board monitors lobbyist operations and rules upon campaign finance violation filings. Learn about the difference between independent and coordinated expenditures! Who really finances DFL and GOP campaigns? You’ll be an expert in no time.
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
6 Slots – $50 per diem, Chair $20,833. Promotes air transportation, and leasing deals inside the airports etc. A venue for activists on airport noise or chemtrails perhaps?
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
1 Slot – $88,448 salary. Heavy hitting board controls the utilities like a state should. Regulates rates and services of electric, natural gas, telephone companies, and certifications for energy. Public hearings, contested cases and complaints. Ideal for taking bribes from power companies and/or dialing the price of electricity up and down for the hell of it, California-Enron style.
MINNESOTA FOREST RESOURCES COUNCIL
9 Slots – Expenses compensated. Needs “One Environmental Organization”, “One Conservation Organization” and “One Labor Organization”. Kind of a big deal for controlling forest policy. “The council shall develop recommendations to the governor and to federal, state, county and local governments with respect to forest resources policies and practices. The council also has responsibility for implementing the policies and programs called for in the Sustainable Forest Resources Act.”
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Law Enforcement, Assorted Punishments, Public Safety, Taser-Related & Judicial Panels
What is the State without obscure deliberative entities involving the Use of Force and/or lawyers? Some non-governmental people are typically required as a final check against industry groupthink.
MN SENTENCING GUIDELINES COMMISSION
7 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses, 2 public members, 1 felony crime victim wanted. Anyone who wants to debate with judges and county attorney types. “Developing and maintaining rational and consistent sentencing standards which reduce sentencing disparity, increase proportionality in sanctions, and ensure more equitable and uniform sentencing for convicted felons.” But is the body reasoning through Instrumental Rationality or more teleological forms? You could find out first-hand at the Sentencing Commission. People who have already been sentenced need not apply, as they already know how it works anyway. (Would be good to get a victim of felony perpetrated by government official?)
BOARD OF PEACE OFFICER STANDARDS AND TRAINING
3 Slots – $55 per diem. One general public member slot available. This is the main check / control mechanism on peace officers in Minnesota. “Licenses peace officers and part-time peace officers, establishes minimum qualifications and standards of conduct, and regulates professional peace officer education and continuing education for peace officers.” On this panel, an activist could really save many lives by forcing, for example, the police to not use tasers except in life-threatening situations. Also might be amusing to see if any peace officers can actually get de-licensed; training programs could be brought about to include better Constitutional protections, less violence etc.
STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC DEFENSE
1 Slot – $55 per diem and expenses. Public (non-lawyer) member to complete a four-year term Expiring on January 7, 2013. Public Defenders have it rough – will anyone fight for the rights of defendants?
CRIME VICTIMS REPARATIONS BOARD
3 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Decides contested claims of financial losses from violent crimes [But who deals with financial losses from nonviolent crimes anyway?].
JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
6 Slots – $55 per diem plus travel expenses. One youth member needed! Kind of interesting structure as it involves the justice system but actually includes representation of people “under” the structure (for once). “The committee is the supervisory board for the federal Juvenile Justice Program with respect to preparation and administration of the state plan and award of grants… The eighteen members must have training, experience or special knowledge concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency or the administration of juvenile justice. At least one-fifth of the membership must be under the age of twenty-four at the time of initial appointment and at least three must have been or will currently be under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system. The majority of members including the chair, must not be full time employees of the federal, state or local governments.”
GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
“Eleven (15)” slots? No compensation – Including “One Minnesota Chapter of National Fire Sprinkler Association Representative”. Surprisingly specific “One RAM Mutual Insurance Company Representative”.
FIRE PROTECTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
1 Slot – Sprinkler Contractor. You know you want to do it. (Continuing Vacancies)
STATE GUARDIAN AD LITEM BOARD
1 Slot – $55 per diem plus expenses. Oversees guardians – a lot of shady guardian stories around lately.
TAX COURT
1 Slot. Judge. $116,392. Appeals court for taxes. “The Tax Court does not expire. There is no set meeting schedule. There is no set meeting location.” Kitten for Tax Court!
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COURT OF APPEALS
1 Slot. Judge $127,213; $133,573 Chief Judge. All Worker’s Comp appeals. Kitten for Workers Comp Appeals Court!
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Special Needs, Ethnic & Various Group Oriented Panels
Lots of opportunities, including paying ones, to deal with issues involving ethnic groups or other groups with different needs than ‘generic average people.’
CHICANO LATINO AFFAIRS COUNCIL
4 Slots – $55 per diem. for 2nd, 6th and 8th Congressional Districts & At-Large open. Supposed to advise about the “unique problems encountered by Chicano/Latino migrant agricultural workers.”
COUNCIL ON ASIAN-PACIFIC MINNESOTANS
8 Slots – not compensated. Probably the most interesting requested array. One Cambodian Ethnic Group Representative, One Thaiwanese Ethnic Group Representative, One Korean Ethnic Group Representative, One Lao Ethnic Group Representative, One Indonesian Ethnic Group Representative, One Singaporean Ethnic Group Representative, One Guam Ethnic Group Representative, One Filipina Ethnic Group Representative. [Not sure who ‘Thaiwanese’ are].
COUNCIL ON BLACK MINNESOTANS
4 Slots – “Per diem for public members”. “…to serve as a liaison between Black Minnesotans and state government, to participate in policymaking on issues that affect the interests and well-being of Black Minnesotans, and to publicize the achievements and contributions of Black Minnesotans.”
AMERICAN INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ADVISORY COUNCIL
5 Slots – Mileage only. 3 members and 2 “Minneapolis Urban Indian Community”. Policies and procedures for Indian child welfare services and grants. Must include each reservation.
STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND
5 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Special education, service recipients and American Indian project rep needed. For economic development for the blind. Must be mostly blind or visually impaired people.
COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
9 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. A majority are supposed to be “service consumers” of disability services, including physical/mental/emotional.
URBAN INITIATIVE BOARD
10 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Investigates “urban development and diversification through minority business enterprises and job creation for minority and other persons”. All “must be experienced in business or economic development”.
HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
2 Slots – $55 per diem. Public members needed. “The agency provides financing for housing low and moderate income persons.”
OMBUDSPERSON FOR INDIAN FAMILIES
1 Slot – Member needed for things involving “Indian children” like courts, service providers, social workers etc. Can investigate decisions or acts, subpoena, given access to info inside agencies, etc. “Should be members from the Indian community”.
URBAN INDIAN ADVISORY BOARD
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Needed from Bemidji and Duluth. Not very urban, but…
LCC WORKING GROUP ON ETHNIC HERITAGE AND NEW AMERICANS
1 Slot – Expenses. Fostering ethnic and cultural diversity.
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Health / Medical Services & Devices Panels –
These are the ones not really controlling licensing or disputed affairs. Major needs for family member representation of affected people.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SERVICES PROGRAM COMMITTEE
17 Slots – Not compensated. For various medical industries. Kind of the Medical Meta-Board: “consists of one person appointed by each participating board, with each participating board having one vote.”
MN COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5 Slots – $50 / $100 varies. Needs 1 metro and 1 non-metro person who are enrolled in a public health insurance program. “govern the activities of the Minnesota association which provides basic health insurance coverage to persons in Minnesota unable to obtain coverage through the open market.”
STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON MENTAL HEALTH
9 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Needs a parent, a social worker, a family health member, two consumers of mental health services. 30-member panel advises on policy, programs and services. Get involved before these people drug you or your family! Perfect venue for complaining about fluoride, EM fields or other noxious neurotoxin effects.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH
12 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Three parents of emotionally disturbed children needed, service providers, “knowledgeable of needs of E.E. of Minorities & Cultures”, “Former Consumer of Childrens or Adolescent Services” etc. Pretty obvious stuff on childrens mental health policies. Why not oppose mass Ritalin dosing in a venue like this?
GOVERNOR’S INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION
15 Slots – $55 per diem for parent members, expenses for all. 3 Parent slots, one public slot, social services, head start, teacher prep, community health type slots open. “The council must address methods of implementing a statewide system of comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary interagency programs of early intervention services for young children with disabilities and their families.”
MN GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DD COUNCIL)
16 Slots – Travel & childcare expenses. 5 parents, 3 consumers, 2 adults with developmental disabilities, etc. Deals with support for developmentally disabled people.
MINNESOTA ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL
1 Slots – Expenses compensated. Works on policies involving grant spending for assistive technologies (like screen readers etc).
HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSER ADVISORY COUNCIL
3 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Best-named panel for sure. Looking for industry reps.
MN BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Two veterinarians wanted!
MN BOARD ON AGING
7 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. “The board consists of 25 members including at least one member from each congressional district.” Controls federal and state money “for programs for the aging,” so presumably immortals and elves need not apply.
MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH ADVISORY TASK FORCE
7 Slots. Expenses compensated. 2 consumer slots open. Task Force expires on June 30, 2011
NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
10 Slots – Expenses compensated. Wants primary care providers and two otolaryngologists. (ear nose & throat!)
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SERVICES PROGRAM
2 Slots – No compensation. Public members wanted. Monitors the treatment of regulated health professionals who themselves have illnesses. (Continuing Vacancies)
OMBUDSMAN COMMITTEE FOR MENTAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
6 Slots – Expenses compensated. One public member, one consumer representative. “To benefit the mentally ill, mentally retarded, chemically dependent and emotionally disturbed”.
REHABILITATION REVIEW PANEL
3 Slots – $55 per diem. Needs labor representative. Has to do with speech & audio licensing and rehabilitation.
STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL
8 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. For disabled independent living advocates and public members.
VETERANS HEALTH CARE ADVISORY COUNCIL
3 Slots. Expenses compensated. Sets up veterans programs, health care etc.
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Arts & Educations!
For Moar Brains & Such including grant program administration, bonding &etc.
TRUSTEE CANDIDATE ADVISORY COUNCIL
10 Slots. $55 per diem plus expenses. Gatekeepers for Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
MN STATE ARTS BOARD
3 Slots – $55 per diem. One At-Large and 2 from Congressional Districts 2 & 3. Supposed to make the arts available to all citizens of Minnesota. Controls some grants and programs.
STATE DESIGNER SELECTION BOARD
3 Slots – $55 per diem. 2 public members needed. Selects designers for education construction/remodeling projects at $2 million+.
STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL
6 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Needs public member. Economic vocational rehabilitation programs.
MN HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES AUTHORITY
2 Slots – 1 general public. Find out about how they “assist institutions of higher education in the construction, financing and refinancing of projects by issuing tax exempt bonds,” and you too can find out how much banks like JP Morgan can skim off public bond issuances.
MN JOB SKILLS PARTNERSHIP BOARD
3 Slots – 1 Chair, 1 Labor rep needed. Training for job skills programs, administers the Dislocated Worker Program and Job Skills Partnership grant program. Another fine place to watch budget operations.
NONPUBLIC EDUCATION COUNCIL
2 Slots – Maybe $55 per diem depending on $ available. Members who know about nonpublic education. (i.e. private schools). Get yr prep on.
MINNESOTA RESOURCE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: DEAF/HARD OF HEARING
4 Slots – Expenses compensated. Parent, special ed director etc needed. For better learning for deaf & hard-of-hearing. (Continuing Vacancies)
MN COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
4 Slots – nonprofit related compensation. Needs youth, public affairs expertise, tribal, etc. Implement a “comprehensive state plan to provide services” and administer grants.
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Environmental, Water Quality, Rural, Outstate, Animal-Related Panels.
Community oversight and grant programs for assorted rural and enviro programs.
CLEAN WATER COUNCIL
12 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Including Environmental Organization Representative, Non-Profit Organization Representative. This one would control a lot of the Clean Water Legacy Act policy and spending advice, scientific review of water pollution evidence etc.
MN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD
3 Slots – $55 per diem, 1 chair & 2 public members. “The board ensures coordination and cooperation among state agencies on environmental issues and advises the Governor and
legislature on environmental legislation and policy.”
MN ZOOLOGICAL BOARD
9 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Operates the MN Zoological Garden. 30 members must have an interest in zoos or zoo management. “Should have the ability to raise significant funds from the private sector.”
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TRACKING AND BIOMONITORING ADVISORY PANEL
10 Slots – 2 for Citizen Members, 8 for scientists from “Statewide Business Organization”, “At-Large”, “Non-Governmental” and U of M. Paid expenses.
“These include recommendations to study specific chronic diseases, environmental health exposures, chemicals, communities and geographical areas. Make recommendations on aspects of the design, implementation, and evaluation of the environmental health tracking and biomonitoring system.” Great venue for unspeakable contaminants like chemtrail aerosols, Morgellon’s disease, lead paint, fluoride, etc etc.
EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM COUNCIL
16 Slots – Not compensated. For industries like travel agencies, resorts, restaurants, campgrounds etc.
METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
5 Slots – Parking & Mileage. Regional park system planning – you too can create more disc golf courses in regional parks.
GREAT LAKES COMMISSION
1 Slot – Commissioner! Not compensated. “The commission promotes development, use and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin.” Has national meetings involving the policies for all the Great Lakes, kind of a big Great Lakes policy bloc thing.
MN RURAL FINANCE AUTHORITY
4 Slots – $55 per diem, public members needed. “Develop the state’s agricultural resources by extending credit on farm real estate security and depreciable agricultural property (improvements, machinery, animals).” Gets farmers better/safer loans than the sharks make available. Has helped keep Minnesota from the clutches of Big Ag for quite a long time. No one allowed from the metro area!
CENTER FOR RURAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT
7 Slots. Including rural, business and “One Private Foundation Representative”.
Rural social and economic issues, acting “through alliances and partnerships”. No public slots open.
GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON MINNESOTA’S COASTAL PROGRAM
15 Slots. Expenses compensated. This Council expires on April 3, 2011. Many slots for residents of up-north counties.
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Regulatory & Dispute Panels, Professional Licensing & Accountability
For addressing formal complaints, industry-controlled quasi-guild type licensing structures in various fields.
MINNESOTA COMBATIVE SPORTS COMMISSION
3 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Best requested member “One Mixed Martial Arts“, also needs a general member and retired judge. Like a Boxing Commission, “The Commission shall issue, deny, renew, suspend, or revoke licenses; make and maintain records of its acts and proceedings including the issuance, denial, renewal, suspension, or revocation of licenses”. Sounds like a great opportunity for something amusing.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST/SANITARIAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
3 Slots – $55 per diem for nongovernmental members plus expenses. 2 for Enviro health specialists, 1 public member. Controls application process for environmental health / sanitarians. Smells like a licensing board!
MN BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK
2 Slots- $55 per diem plus expenses. 2 public members. “To promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the licensure and regulation of persons who practice social work in this state.”
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
6 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Two public members, one labor. Deals with administration of state OSHA safety standards.
MEDICAL SERVICES REVIEW BOARD
14 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Hospitals, nurses, labor, chiropractor type people wanted. Advises on Workers’ Compensation and controls some contested cases.
FORMULARY COMMITTEE
2 Pharmacist Representatives – $100 per meeting + mileage. “Include reviewing the over-the-counter drugs.” Seems to be new. “Members are selected after consulting with professional organizations.”
STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
5 Slots – $55 per diem. 1 public member, 3 physical therapists, 1 assistant. Does licensing and enforcement on physical therapists.
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT ADVISORY COUNCIL, BOARD OF MEDICAL PRACTICE
3 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. 1 public member. Physician assistant licensing and complaints.
MN AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus mileage. Needs people “with experience promoting amateur sports.”
PLUMBING BOARD
7 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Needs all sorts of plumbers, controls plumbing code.
MN AUTOMOBILE ASSIGNED CLAIMS BUREAU
2 Slots – $75 per meeting. Public members needed. Governs no-fault benefits in auto accidents & insurance.
MN BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. One public member needed. Deals with chiropractor licensing and damn well better have the most comfortable chairs.
MN BOARD OF NURSING
5 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. 2 public members and 3 nurses of diff types. Licenses and registers nurses, midwives, specialists, etc., complaints and discipline on nurse licenses.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW BOARD
1 Slot – $55 per diem. Public member – reviews OSHA citations and penalties. Another kind of thing it would be good to get an activist into.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS ADVISORY COUNCIL
4 Slots – $55 per diem. 2 public members. Licensing standards for occupational therapy.
MN BOARD OF GRAIN STANDARDS
3 Slots – No compensation. Sets standards for any grains in Minnesota. Hegemony in grain discourse – will Monsanto Monoculture & wheat rust be the downfall of us all?
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONERS ADVISORY COUNCIL
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Licensing standards for OT. (Continuing Vacancies)
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Economic Development, Misc Policy Planning & Promotional Type Areas
There is a lot of miscellaneous policy planning. Includes zoning, long range planning etc.
GOVERNOR’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
5 Slots – $55 per diem – one slot for community-based organization, four for ag and business. “Shall coordinate the development, implementation, and evaluation of the statewide education and employment transitions system and Minnesota youth services programs.” A pretty heavy-hitting council with 31 members, run by DEED, the Department of Employment & Economic Development.
METROPOLITAN SPORTS FACILITIES COMMISSION
4 Slots – $50 per diem plus expenses. “The commission is responsible for the location, design, construction, and operation of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.” If the 2012 DNC comes to town, you’ll get to see how much is spent prepping the Dome for modern martial-law standards!
MINNESOTA BROADBAND ADVISORY TASK FORCE
1 Slot – Expenses. Achieving highspeed broadband goals, reporting to legislature. Should have expertise in needs for education/government/etc or telephone/cable/wireless or unions.
MIDWEST INTERSTATE PASSENGER RAIL COMMISSION
1 Slot – ‘private sector’. Supposed to advance the troubled midwestern rail initiatives. Wisconsin Governor-Elect Walker is determined to crush this commission’s goals, so should be fun.
NONMOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
4 slots – Mileage only. Needs a bicycle industry and other reps. Includes safety, right-of-way and other nonmotorized planning. Fight for your right to bike. (Continuing Vacancies)
BOARD OF INVENTION
12 Slots – no compensation. Encourages creation, performance, appreciation of inventions. From each Congressional District & 3 at-large. Each “At Large Board of Invention” members permitted to violate one so-called “law” of thermodynamics.
MINNESOTA e-HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1 Slot – No compensation. Needs a laboratory representative for interoperable health information infrastructure (oh noes – death panels?) etc.
CAPITOL AREA ARCHITECTURAL AND PLANNING BOARD
1 Slot – $55 per diem. Has control over Capitol-area zoning, and is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. The proposed giant Capitol-complex rebuilding project would happen via this panel.
DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY
4 Slots – Expenses paid. Promote the Duluth convention center and monitor its finances.
GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON FAITH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES
15 Slots – No compensation. “This Council expires on April 3, 2011. …. The Council is created to provide advice and recommendations to the Governor on matters related to the development and support of effective and efficient faith and community organizations which provide services to Minnesotans in need. The Council may not engage in any activity that is prohibited by the First Amendment…. The appointees may include, but are not limited to, representatives of faith-based and community organizations, foundations, corporations and public entities.” Defunct religious-state council sounds fun!
LABOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3 Slots – $55 per diem. Should include labor, business, local education and arts.
LAKE SUPERIOR CENTER AUTHORITY
4 Slots – Travel expenses. Meets at the Duluth Great Lakes Aquarium.
GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE COUNCIL
6 Slots – No compensation. Four slots for public members. Plan for the governor’s residence.
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The Most Obscure Miscellaneous Sorts of Panels
Are the most fun?
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL
1 Slot – $55 per diem plus expenses. “Five will have training or interest in alcohol dependency and abuse and five will have training or interest in drugs other than alcohol.” Party Time Excellent – good luck trying to get TV liquor ads off the air. (Continuing Vacancies)
FOOD SAFETY AND DEFENSE TASK FORCE
1 Slot – no compensation. At -Large member. Advises the public on food safety. Would be cool to get a raw food advocate here before it’s too late. The panel is very FDA/ Grocers Association type people otherwise. (Continuing Vacancies)
ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON UNIFORM CONVEYANCING FORMS
4 Slots. No compensation. Develops “uniform conveyancing blanks” – perhaps they have dealt with the fraudulent conveyances of MERS mortgage operations? (i.e. mortgage industry wanted to avoid filing fees for real housing title conveyances, so they invented a fraudulent parallel system, MERS). (Continuing Vacancies)
MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER
9 Slots – Expenses compensated. Advisory body for the St. Paul institution.
MINNESOTA STATE LIBRARY ADVISORY COUNCIL
12 Slots – Travel expenses only. Develops library service programs, needs people from various Congressional Districts. “Members are to be broadly representative of the citizens of Minnesota reflecting the needs and diversity of those served by public, school, academic, special, and institutional libraries including people with disabilities, disadvantaged persons and communities of color.”
GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HOLIDAY
14 Slots – No compensation. “The council plans and executes events to promote racial harmony and to recognize and honor Martin Luther King.”
PETROLEUM TANK RELEASE COMPENSATION BOARD
1 Slot – Claims Adjustment Member. Payouts for leaky storage tanks. Great name.
MN JOINT UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION – LIABILITY INSURANCE
1 Slot – $150 per diem plus mileage. Needs a day care provider. Provides liability insurance for odd businesses. (Continuing Vacancies)
NOXIOUS WEED ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2 Slots – No compensation. Needs someone from U of M Forestry. Track the arrival of nasty foreign weeds into Minnesota. Good spot for jokes like “I got yr noxious weed right here!” (Continuing Vacancies)
PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMITTEE
9 Slots – Expenses only. Needs various members including environmental organizations. Supposed to protect the groundwater. (Continuing Vacancies)
SMALL BUSINESS AIR QUALITY COMPLIANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
2 Slots – $55 per diem plus expenses. Small Business Assistance Program, reports for federal agencies, members from the general public “who are not owners or representatives of owners” needed. (Continuing Vacancies)
STATE GOVERNMENT GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
1 Slot – No compensation. Provides help for improving the operations and management of geospatial technology within state government. New panel consolidates nifty mapping stuff. (Continuing Vacancies)
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Public Employee And Finance Oversight Councils
How bad is the stock market going to treat these people? Austerity Alert here – plus the ever-popular pension fund shortfalls. Major slots for AFSCME types available here.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
11 Slots – “Ten members experienced in general investment matters are appointed by the board.” Controls the state funds including retirement funds. If you want to watch how state money backs nasty war profiteer corporations like Israel’s war-bulldozer friend Caterpillar, this is where it happens. “The council advises the Board of Investment on policy relating to investments of state funds.”
MN STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
2 Slots – $55 per diem. One public member needed. Establishes rules and regulations for state retirement programs. Join along to watch banks destroy through fraud all the savings of these public employees – can they wrap their heads around what’s about to happen?
MERIT SYSTEM COUNCIL
2 Slots – $50 per diem (max $600/year) deals with exams and rule changes for the state government merit system, classification and compensation plans. Get your state budget payroll wonk on.
MINNESOTA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE PROGRAM
10 Slots – Mileage & parking expenses. Advisory, 5 labor, 5 management. Annual meetings. (Continuing Vacancies)
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Well there you have it, hopefully this illustrates the huge number of obscure panels that people could engage in for 2011. Get paneling!
Reach Dan via hongpong@hongpong.com.
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