1. Mayor’s Youth Council:Are you interested in making sure that City leaders hear what people your age are interested in and want to see happen in Northfield? This is the place to do it! The Mayor's Youth Council seeks to: assist with the identification of issues important to Northfield young people; work with community partners to help design and implement solutions; and provide youth perspective and input into civic affairs relevant to the Mayor of Northfield and the Northfield City Council.
Typically meets on Wednesday mornings before school 2 times a month2. Economic Development Authority:Have you always wondered what influence the government can have on attracting and keeping businesses alive and thriving in the city? Put your econ knowledge to work on the City of Northfield Economic Development Authority! The EDA seeks to improve the economic condition of Northfield by focusing on commercial and industrial development, as well as job opportunities in Northfield. The EDA provides resources and tools, including loans and grants, to support this kind of development.
Typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall3. Housing and Redevelopment Authority: The City of Northfield has a lack of affordable housing. Is that something you have heard people saying a lot this year? Do you wonder what steps are being taken to address it? The City of Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s mission is to be a partner in providing a sufficient supply of adequate, safe, and sanitary dwellings in Northfield. The HRA strives to create affordable housing opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods through sustainability, innovation, partnerships, and community input.
Typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall4. Planning Commission:Who decides if a business can add a drive-thru or if a person can put a tiny house on their property or where a trail should be located? The Planning Commission! This group prepares and maintains the city’s Comprehensive Plan (a document that outlines long-range plans for managing the growth of the community), advises the City Council on matters regarding implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and conducts public hearings and makes recommendations to the City Council on proposed changes affecting city zoning and land use.
Typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City HallBOARDS THAT FOCUS ON HOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKS:5. District Youth Council:You spend seven hours a day at school, do you want to understand and influence the decisions that structure how that time is spent? The District Youth Council (DYC) works to translate youth voice into action by providing connections between the school board, school, administration, and the student body. They gather and provide youth input on school district-related issues to the Northfield School Board, district administration, and other school-related entities. DYC members also serve on various committees throughout the District.
Typically meets on Wednesday mornings before school or during FLEX hour 1-2 times a month
BOARDS THAT FOCUS ON PRESERVING AND HONORING THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF EVERYONE:6. Human Rights Commission:The right for everyone to be heard, to live in safe housing, to have a fair-paying job, to vote and to be educated...this is the focus of the City of Northfield’s Human Rights Commission. The commission assists the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in implementing the state’s Human Rights Act and advises the City Council on long-range programs to improve community relations in the City of Northfield. If these are important to you, this is a great commission to serve on.Typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
7. League of Women Voters:Helping to ensure that all people are informed on their right and their duty to vote and participate in government the League of Women Voters (LWV) works to safeguard our democracy and drive civic improvement. A nonpartisan political organization the LWV encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Typically meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
8. Northfield Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee: How does a community support the people and their families that serve or have served our country as members of the US Military? As an official Beyond the Yellow Ribbon community, Northfield is lucky to have this amazing resource that focuses on supporting military members, veterans and their families in need of support as well as honoring and recognizing their service. Typically meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
BOARDS THAT FOCUS ON ART AND CULTURE IN THE COMMUNITY:9. Arts & Culture Commission:From poetry in the sidewalks to murals on buildings to local festivals, the Arts and Culture Commission advises the Northfield City Council about the development of arts and cultural activities, organizations, and facilities in Northfield. Its purpose is to assist Northfield in becoming a community in which arts and cultural activities are recognized as vital components of the community.
Typically meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall
10. Library Board:
The Library is a vital hub for our city; as a place to gather, discuss and come together as a community. Sitting on this Board will help ensure that it remains relevant now and well into the future! The Library Board makes recommendations to the Northfield City Council regarding the library administration, policies, annual budget, operations, and maintenance of all library facilities. The board monitors and advocates for legislation concerning public libraries.
Typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Library
11. Northfield Arts Guild Board of Directors:
Dance classes, the ceramics studio, the Purple Door Theater and much, much more are all in Northfield because of the the Northfield Arts Guild! The Guild (as it is known) is here to inspire our community by developing, supporting and providing quality inclusive artistic opportunities. The Guild provides year-long programs in theater, music, visual arts, and arts education that serve creative minds of all ages, all levels and all backgrounds. Serve on this board and keep Northfield creative, vibrant and evolving!
Typically meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northfield Arts Guild
12. Northfield Youth Choirs Board of Directors:
Northfield Youth Choirs (NYC) sparks the growth of its singers through artistry, shared experiences, and joy. We believe that every person has the ability to sing and that as we grow, each person develops a unique voice to share with the world. Our goal is that through singing, our members will gain greater confidence in themselves and their intrinsic value – finding and developing their inner voice in addition to their musical voice. The Board oversees the staff and assists with program development, sets strategic direction and is responsible for budgeting.
Typically meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
13. Friends of Downtown Northfield:
Do you love going downtown? Do you want to help make downtown a better place for everyone? Join the Friends of Downtown Northfield! We focus on events, promotion/marketing, public spaces and historic design, and collaborating with other partners to make downtown great. Join our nonprofit board and learn more about fundraising, event planning, social media and more!
Typically meets on the last Monday of each month at 4:000 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce
BOARDS THAT FOCUS ON HEALTH, HEALTHY SPACES AND WELL-BEING:14. The Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (N-ASAP): Vaping, drinking, marijuana use, prescription-drug abuse...have any of these affected you, your friends or your family? Do you have thoughts on how to talk about these issues in productive ways? The alliance seeks to raise community awareness about local youth substance use and to make recommendations for community interventions to reduce youth use. Members are “advocates for and with youth, committed to creating a community where our youth can lead healthy lives free of alcohol and drug use.”
Typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall
15. Clean River Partners:
Do you want to protect the land and water in this area? Do you want to help individuals and community groups learn what steps they can take to ensure a sustainable environment? Clean River Partners inspires people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed's land and water. And this year, we'll be embarking on strategic planning--setting the priorities for this systems-change focused organization over the next three years.
Typically meets on the third Thursday of every other month, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
16. Environmental Quality Commission:
Do you believe that the citizens of a city are only as healthy as the environment that they inhabit? Do you want to influence how your community addresses and combats the changing environmental landscape? The City of Northfield Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) advises on matters concerning environmental quality and natural resources, including the implementation of the environmental policy enacted by ordinance.
Typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall17. Park & Recreation Advisory Board:
The pool, the ice-rink, the soccer-fields, the rodeo grounds and the many local parks throughout the city….many of these spaces have likely played a significant part of your childhood and keeping them well-maintained, updated (pickle ball courts???) and funded is an important job! The City of Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) directly advises city staff and officials regarding the public parks system and all public recreational facilities in the City of Northfield. The PRAB assists with long-range planning for land acquisition for parks, natural areas and trails, as well as detailed plans for park development/use and recreational facilities.Typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
18. The RAVE Student Initiative - Reduction and Awareness of Vaping and E-Cigarette use:
Interested in understanding why people have coping skills? Leave your mark on the community by joining the RAVE team!
This team, made up entirely of 8-12th grade students, is focusing on communicating about why people choose to vape (etc. stress, anxiety) and how to develop coping skills that positively impact us, instead. The team consists of 10 students across Faribault and Northfield, but we are sadly losing a senior this year. We are looking for between 1-6 students to join our team! Our ultimate goal is to decrease vaping among youth by raising awareness through messaging. Our RAVE team has freedom to take this communication in directions they feel are most relevant, including: implementing restorative justice practices for getting caught vaping at school: creating “swag” (pens, buttons, sweatshirts, beanies etc…): and/or prioritizing a change in the greater community, like our poster campaign this past spring 2023. We have snacks at each meeting!
Meets twice a month – one after school in-person meeting and one virtual evening meeting.
19. Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Community Leadership Team (CLT):
Are you interested in learning how state-funding directly impacts resources that are available to a local community? Work on this County wide leadership team and see how the transition from state to local level occurs. The Rice County Public Health SHIP CLT’s work is aimed at making the healthy choice the easy choice. CLT members will act as a governing body of SHIP to improve opportunities for healthy living in Rice County.
Typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of every other month from 4:30-6 p.m.
20. YMCA Board of Directors:
Do you hit the Y after school to get in a quick workout? Maybe summer camps at the Y were part of your childhood? Or maybe you are passionate about Youth in Government? The Northfield Area Family YMCA’s mission is to build strong kids, strong families, and a strong community and you can be a part of that! The Y is a powerful association of youth, adults and families joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
Typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Typically meets on the last Monday of the month from 5:30-7:00 p.m. via zoom or a public conference room or board member home.
BOARDS THAT FOCUS ON THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE NORTHFIELD COMMUNITY:22. Healthy Community Initiative (HCI) Board of Directors:
If the youth in a community are healthy, happy, and thriving then the community will be as well. This is the underlying belief of HCI and all of their work focuses on ensuring that Northfield is a community where all youth thrive. The board sets strategic priorities for the organization, oversees budgeting, and awards grants to local projects that benefit Northfield youth. If you believe that youth drive the future of this community, this is a great Board to serve on!Typically meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m.
23. Northfield Public Schools Community Education Advisory Council:Community Education supports the learning and participation of adults and children in the community through citizen involvement, access to school and community resources, and promotion of collaboration and partnerships. The Advisory Council advises staff in programming, budgeting and departmental development.
Typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.
24. Northfield SHARES Board of Directors:
How do citizens get involved in helping their community? Northfield Shares facilitates two very important ways – volunteering and donating money. As Northfield’s local community foundation Northfield Shares works to provide both funding and volunteers to organizations to help meet the needs and interests of the greater Northfield area, now and far into the future. The board helps support this work by setting strategy, determining funding priorities (aka deciding who gets the money), and sharing their thoughts and opinions on what is important in Northfield.
Typically meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m.25. Rice County Area United Way Board of Directors:
The Rice County Area United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. They do this by raising funds, providing leadership, identifying and addressing community needs, and supporting an effective and balanced delivery system of human care. The Board of Directors oversees this work by overseeing the staff and setting strategic priorities.Typically meets the third Monday of every other month at 6 p.m.
26. Women in Northfield Giving Support (WINGS) Board of Directors:If you serve on this board you will help to set priorities on where funding will go, how to involve more people in the process and how ensure WINGS is fiscally responsible so that it will thrive for years to com.
Typically meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
BOARDS THAT FOCUS ON NORTHFIELD HISTORY:
27. Heritage Preservation Commission:
Do you like Downtown Northfield? Ever wonder why it has that special feel to it compared to other suburban small towns? The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) pays close attention to the look of the buildings, downtown parks like Bridge Square and along the river, and even the signs for businesses to make sure Northfield stays feeling welcome, warm, and inviting. Learn more about architecture, history, planning and more with the HPC!
Typically meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
28. Northfield Historical Society Board of Directors:
From the Defeat of Jesse James Days to Cemetery Stories, the Northfield Historical Society exists to preserve, interpret and honor the unique history of Northfield, Minnesota, and the surrounding region. The Society operates the Historic Bank Museum and re-tells the story of the James-Younger Gang's bank robbery defeat. Other exhibits and programs cover local history topics and the store sells souvenirs and Northfield merchandise. The board sets strategic priorities for the organization, oversees budgeting, fundraising, and programming.
Typically meets on the third Monday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
