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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmma SihlerFrom:webadmin@bozeman.net To:Agenda Subject:Citizen Advisory Board Application Date:Thursday, September 30, 2021 2:38:44 PM A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted. Form Name:Citizen Advisory Board Application Date & Time:09/30/2021 2:38 PM Response #:82 Submitter ID:44228 IP address:98.127.250.234 Time to complete:37 min. , 14 sec. Survey Details Page 1 WELCOME Thank you for your interest in joining a Citizen Advisory Board. The City of Bozeman elected officials and staff believe in the value of public participation and local governance in the decision-making process and encourage all interested members of our community to apply. As set forth in Resolution 5323, the City is committed to building Advisory Boards that advance the City’s goals of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because of this goal, the City is actively working to achieve membership that reflects, at the least, the demographics of our community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. CONTACT INFORMATION The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's Office if your email address changes for any reason. The City will need to communicate with all board members via email for a number of annual communications, so a valid email address is required for all applicants. Please notify the City Clerk's Office if your email address changes for any reason. Please note that your application will become public information. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk *. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT Each official and employee serving on a multimember agency is expected to devote the time and effort necessary to ensure the successful functioning of such agency (Bozeman Municipal Code, Section 2.03.490.C.). Additional standards of conduct and norms are included in Resolution 5323. Applicant Information First Name Emma Last Name Sihler Physical Address 405 Overbrook Dr Apt 7 PO Box (if different from physical address) Not answered City Bozeman State Montana Zip Code 59715 Primary Phone (406) 465-5825 Additional Phone Not answered Current Occupation student Employer student at MSU Email emma.sihler111@gmail.com Which position are you applying for? (○) Economic Vitality Board Do You Live in the City Limits? (Some positions do require you live within Bozeman city limits while others do not.) (○) Yes How long have you lived in the Bozeman Area? (○) 1-5 years Have you ever served on a City or County Board or Commission? (○) No Please describe your professional and personal experiences, interest, and qualifications that make you a good fit for this board. As a student at MSU, I feel that I possess a unique and important perspective in the community. The university makes up a significant portion of the Bozeman community, and the student perspective is especially important when it comes to issues like community housing, something that I am passionate about. Moreover, as Bozeman continues to grow, I believe that it is vital that the benefits of this growth are reaped by all members of the community. An essential piece of this is upholding a plan for sustainable economic development. I strongly identify with many of the goals outlined in Bozeman’s Economic Development Strategy, especially finding a balance between infrastructure development and the maintenance of the small-town charm of our community. I am currently in my fourth year at MSU pursuing dual degrees in Political Science and Cell Biology & Neuroscience with a particular interest in the expansion of accessible health systems. Although I am still a college student, I have significant experience with state and local policymaking processes. This includes lobbying and testifying for the state legislature and involvement in related trainings, including the Women’s Policy Leadership Institute through Montana Women Vote. In the summer of 2021, I worked with the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO). In this position, I performed significant policy research, attended legislative committee meetings, and developed policy recommendations on important issues related to healthcare in South Dakota. Beyond this, I have been involved in planning and organizing several events through student organizations at MSU and currently serve on the board of the Survivor Fund, which allocates money for survivors of interpersonal violence. A city’s approach to economic development plays a significant role in the lives of the people who live there. Thus, individuals from diverse backgrounds throughout the community must have an opportunity to advise local policies in this area. I believe that my background and position as a student at MSU make me a good fit with the ability to provide a unique perspective to the board. The City of Bozeman strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Describe any efforts you have engaged in to expand your understanding of DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that allow a community to be vibrant and thriving. They include the opportunity for people of all ages, religions, races, gender identities, ability levels, and thought backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to and be represented by their community. I have been involved in several workshops and classes that emphasized DEI, including violence prevention trainings through the VOICE Center at MSU and summer seminars on race, discrimination, and inclusion through the Center for Diversity at Johns Hopkins University. In my own life, I work daily to create a safe space and challenge my own biases. I engage in conversations with peers from different backgrounds on important issues like MMIW, LGBT+ rights, and experiences with discrimination. I read books and articles to further my understanding of issues related to DEI and further explore the role that I play in systematic structures and the dismantling of White Supremacy. I also make it a personal goal to work to ensure that events and experiences in the community and on campus are accessible and open to all who live here. Although this is a good start, both I as an individual and the City of Bozeman as a whole still have a lot to do in terms of developing a true commitment to the values of DEI. Efforts need to be actionable. Exposure to different backgrounds and diverse thoughts can only serve to strengthen approaches to creative problem solving and the development of a more vibrant and involved community. References: Please provide name, phone, and email contact information for two references. Reference 1 Paul LaChapelle, MSU Professor (406) 994-3620 paul.lachapelle@montana.edu Reference 2 Sarah Aker, Director of Fiscal Policy, SDAHO (605) 390-9400 sarah.aker@sdaho.org The Bozeman City Charter, voted in by the citizens of Bozeman in 2008, requires annual ethics training. If appointed, do you understand you will be expected to take online and in person ethics training? (○) Yes How did you hear about this board or vacancy? Listserv Is there any other information that you feel we need to know? Not answered If you have a disability that requires assistance or need accommodations, please contact our ADA Coordinator, Mike Gray, at 582-3232 (TDD 582-2301). Please note that for most Citizen Advisory Boards, materials are distributed electronically for each meeting. Your application and all information submitted is considered a public record. All applications are included in the City Commission’s Meeting materials for consideration which are electronically archived and available to the public. Thank you, City Of Bozeman This is an automated message generated by Granicus. Please do not reply directly to this email.