Town Survey Strives for More Diverse Leadership

October 29, 2026
• A survey of town boards and committees yields greater engagement but demonstrates there is still work to be done in increasing diversity and equity in membership.

Needham is a town that depends on its volunteers. Most of its boards and committees are elected or appointed positions that are filled by generous individuals who give their time and effort in order to keep things running smoothly or provide guidance for town employees.

Asking individuals to volunteer for these positions can be a difficult task, as fewer people tend to have the resources to dedicate to organizations beyond their own individual lives. Others are simply not aware of the opportunities to give back that might be available. In recent months, the Select Board has wrestled over the appropriate process for making board appointments. Some members have expressed concern over the small pool of applicants and the need to appoint the same individuals to multiple committee positions.

In the background, the town manager’s office has been running a survey regularly to track the diversity of those who serve for town offices. The information given is voluntary but may give insight as to whether the population is being fully represented, or whether fewer voices are getting through. They presented the latest round of results to the Select Board at their meeting on Oct. 27.