At 110,000 Santa Clara County holds the 4th largest Filipino population in California1. With year-over-year data showing an upward increase of Filipinos particularly residing in the Golden State, the need for visibility and representation for our community cannot be understated.
As an organization rooted in educating, exposing – and identifying opportunities that increase the Filipin@ voice in public and civic leadership spaces, L.E.A.D Filipino has prepared this Local Guide of Santa Clara County’s ~260 public Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
Let’s demystify any shrouds of doubt – these ~260 Boards, Committees, and Commissions are led by ordinary people – your neighbors, your coworkers, and your friends. Commissioners are at least 18 years old, reside in the relevant City/County, and have a deep interest in helping to shape public policy that responds to and reflects the Commission they serve on (example: Commission on the Status of Women in Santa Clara County). As you browse this Guide, you will notice that there are Boards and Commissions for nearly every public aspect of our lives – e.g. Human Rights, Senior Services, Transportation, Airport Noise, Libraries – and so on.
This document is intended to provide information and educate those interested in serving their communities in this capacity. As a Commissioner, you are a public official, because you are serving your community in a public space. You are giving voice to those who cannot be at those tables. In addition to including each Santa Clara County City’s public Boards and Commissions, we have also included specific Filipino American population data, within each respective City to illustrate the enormity of the role that we can play in impacting, shaping, and ultimately – changing – our communities and neighborhoods today.
Check out our reports, resources and guides related to how we can improve the visibility of Filipin@s in public service:
A Comprehensive Guide: Boards & Commissions in Santa Clara County