Build Your Team

Consider recruiting for your committee from leaders and stakeholders in the following communities:

• Local government
• Public safety
• Libraries
• Education (public and private K-12, universities and community colleges)
• Health care
• Economic development
• Businesses
• Nonprofits
• Utilities and broadband providers
• Private citizens and others committed to the expansion of broadband internet in the community

Strategically recruit broadband committee members. For example, if local schools have been working publicly toward greater broadband access for their students, be certain to include at least one key member of the school community.

Remember that local grassroots involvement is crucial to your success. Bring in citizens with a broad range of interests. A committee that is representative of the entire community provides credibility, transparency and public accountability, as well as some assurance that most of the various needs and interests of the community are considered and, with hard work and perseverance, met.

Champions

As you recruit, and as you work together as a committee, consider which of your members might be natural “champions,” citizens who can dedicate many hours and untold energy to your broadband goals. One of your champions is likely to be named the chairperson or the primary contact person of the committee.

Think of a time in your community when a fellow citizen successfully launched a project or initiative. It might have been building or improving playground equipment in the park, expanding the recycling program to include downtown apartment buildings or outlying areas of the county, or feeding the poor during the holidays. This person was a “champion.” Your committee needs a champion to help develop and advance the project.

Your champion(s) should have the time, energy and interest to manage and drive the initiative forward. They will likely be leaders in local government or from the larger community, such as educators, business leaders, nonprofit directors, economic development directors, librarians and others in similar roles. Your champions will be expected to lead a coalition of members, and therefore will need the support of the various community institutions, like government agencies, businesses, schools, colleges, nonprofits and hospitals.

Broadband Planning Committee Role Checklist

The Broadband Planning Committee Role Checklist is a great place to keep track of your roster and make sure that you are introducing the right people to the committee. You may not have all the participants that are listed, and you may have multiple checklists with a few different members from across your communities, depending on the requirements of your project.