The best boards and councils will be comprised of those from various backgrounds in both the public and private sectors: e.g., parents, grandparents, business, labor, health, social services, education, psychology, community planning, law enforcement and politics (bipartisan). Board members, and sometimes advisory council members, may be selected with their community connections and fundraising potential in mind. Ex officio members, often holding political office, can be very influential and resourceful in helping their boards and councils plan and achieve objectives. Often, they (and other board members) will represent agencies with areas of intersection and common interest with aging services, such as health, disabilities and family services.
Board and council memberships are often political appointments, but once a board or council is formed, these bodies will frequently adopt authority for nominating and/or selecting their own members. They will generally vote for their own chairs, treasurers, secretaries, etc. And, just as there is no set number for aging-service boards and advisory councils, there is no set time period for service. Board and council members usually serve terms of from one to three years, but the terms can be longer or shorter, depending on agency-specific bylaws. Also, members can usually be re-appointed to consecutive and multiple terms.