About Volunteer Boards & Commissions

Why Serve?

One way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to volunteer to serve on a volunteer board or commission. Orange County strives for diverse representation on boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners can directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

What are the Requirements?

If you would like to help your community by volunteering for a board or commission, please review the Board of County Commissioners Advisory Board Policy (PDF) and the General Requirements for Advisory Board Service (PDF) before you submit an application. General requirements for appointment include:

• Must be at least 18 years old (unless applying for a youth-designated position) 
• Must reside in Orange County
• Must adhere to 75% attendance requirement for all board members in order to maintain membership
• Must be willing and able to comply with ethical requirements associated with board service

Individuals who are appointed to the Board of Equalization and Review, Economic Development Advisory Board, Orange County Board of Adjustment, and Orange County Planning Board will need to complete a disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter.

Some positions require residence in specific areas of the county.  See the Township Map (PDF) if you need to determine in which Township you live. Boundary maps are also available for the City Limits and surrounding areas of Chapel Hill & Carrboro (PDF), Hillsborough (PDF), and Mebane (PDF). You can also identify your Township and Zoning Designation here.

What Do the Boards Do?

Each board or commission has a unique charge and its own goals and objectives. You can find a list of boards, descriptions for each board, and the current member roster here.

How to Apply?

Please be aware that upon submitting an application for volunteer service, North Carolina Public Records Law indicates the document is a public record. 

• Submit an online volunteer application
  • If you are applying for a youth delegate position on the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council or Orange Unified Transportation Board please use this application form.
• Download a volunteer application (PDF)
  • Fill out and return to:
    Orange County Board of County Commissioners
    ATTN: Tara May
    P.O. Box 8181
    Hillsborough, NC 27278

What Happens Next?

• The Clerk's Office will confirm your address in Orange County and notify you by email that your application has been received. 
• Appointments are made to various boards throughout the calendar year as vacancies occur.
• The Clerk's Office will notify you by email if you are appointed.
• If you are not initially appointed to a board that you have applied for, your application will be automatically resubmitted for consideration when there are vacancies until you are appointed or your application expires (2 years from the date of submission).

Please contact the Clerk's Office if you have any questions.