Boards and Commissions Fellowship

Every day in Louisiana, critical decisions about our communities are shaped by local and statewide boards and commissions. These bodies influence nearly every aspect of community life, yet too often, the people most affected by these decisions are missing from the table.

The Serve Louisiana Boards & Commissions Fellowship is a 6-month leadership experience designed to change that. Fellows will spend half a year building the knowledge, confidence, and network needed to step into public service roles with purpose and readiness. Through training, mentorship, and hands-on learning, you’ll understand how boards and commissions work, where your voice is needed, and how to make meaningful, values-aligned contributions in your community.

Who Should Apply

You don’t need any prior political or policy experience—all you need is a strong commitment to serving your community and a desire to make a meaningful impact. If you want to improve local health, protect natural resources, and bring diverse perspectives into public decision-making, this program is for you.

Curriculum Highlights:

Duration: 6-months
Format: Monthly, in-person

+ Local Government 101
+ Louisiana Open Meetings & Public Records Law
+ Parliamentary Procedure (Robert’s Rules of Order)
+ Power Mapping & Navigating Board and Commission Appointments
+ Effective Communication for Public Impact
+ Networking & Building Public Relationships
+ Louisiana Issues & Ongoing Local Policy Efforts
+ And more!


2027 Fellowship in New Orleans :

In partnership with the Committee for a Better New Orleans,the 2027 Boards and Commissions Fellowship will take place in New Orleans. This a 6-month program featuring an early January kickoff celebration, monthly in-person training sessions, and a civic send-off celebration at the conclusion of the program.

Training sessions will be held in person in New Orleans from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

2027 session dates:
January 26
February 23
March 23
April 27
May 25
June 22 with a celebration to follow in the evening

How to Apply

Applications are currently open for the 2027 New Orleans Fellowship.

  • Application deadline: October 15, 2026
  • Interviews: Early November 2026
  • Fellows notified: November 20, 2026

Call for Mentors:

Each fellow will be paired with a mentor to help guide them as they apply for positions on boards and commissions. Mentors meet with their fellow monthly. If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please email maggie@servelouisiana.org.