There are seven elected members on Asheville City Council, but that body relies on more than 250 people serving on 35 council-appointed boards and commissions to help guide policy for the city of Asheville.

From the Downtown Commission to the Greenway Commission to the newly formed Neighborhood Advisory Committee, these are the groups that deliberate and advise on a wide range of issues facing Asheville. Citizen involvement is crucial in making decisions that affect the city, and the recommendations of Council’s boards and commissions play a big role in Council’s decisions. Some of the most influential policies in the city of Asheville have their beginnings in one of these bodies.

With so many advisory bodies, seats frequently come up for consideration, and in 2013, there will be openings on 22 City Council boards and commissions. To fill those seats, City Clerk Maggie Burleson sends out regular announcements of upcoming board vacancies. Asheville City Council selects and interviews applicants, and appoints members all in a public forum. A typical term is three years.

But hopefuls don’t have to wait until a vacancy is announced. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be held for up to a year.

To receive regular notifications of board and commission vacancies, contact City Clerk Maggie Burleson at 259-5601 or mburleson@ashevillenc.gov. Notices are also posted on the city of Asheville website and on the City of Asheville’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

For more about upcoming board and commission vacancies for 2013 and early 2014 and how to apply, go to ashevillenc.gov/Departments/CityClerk/BoardsCommissions.aspx.