Agenda - 02-07-2023; 4-a - Discussion and Appointment for the Vacant Position on the Orange County Board of Commissioners

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19 Orange County Board of Commissioners - Vacancy Application Name: Natalie Ziemba Address: 2406 George Anderson Drive, Hillsborough 27278 Email: natalieziemba@yahoo.com Phone: 970-310-4369 Registered Voter?yes W1no Party Affiliation: Democrat Questions: 1. What motivates you to want to serve as an Orange County commissioner, including why are you seeking an appointment now, as opposed to running for the seat during a previous election? As a lifelong social justice advocate, I have been involved in many community-based advocacy efforts and non-profit organizations working to address inequalities.Throughout these experiences, I constantly wrestle with the tension between what can be changed through non-governmental channels and what can be changed through direct governmental action. Both options have limits and opportunities, and I think both are necessary in creating an equitable society. I don't feel the need to replace any of the existing Commissioners by competing for a seat during an election, but do appreciate the opportunity provided by the vacancy as a chance to expand my resources for making change. 2. What do you consider to be one of the most important characteristics of a county commissioner? What in your experience demonstrates your ability to be effective as a commissioner?What is your experience in shared governance or leadership?What steps do you take in making decisions? I think a willingness to change is one of the most important characteristics of leadership, whether that means making a personal change of opinion or behavior, or changing a plan of action that may not be achieving the desired outcome within the time or limits of the original plan. When making a decision, I make a concerted effort to gather information from multiple perspectives, solicit feedback on what aspects of the decision I haven't yet considered, and also allow enough time to reflect on the options and let my thoughts settle. My social work training and volunteer and professional experirence on rape crisis hotlines have helped me refine my approach to leadership in high-stakes personal interactions and collaborative planning and action among stakeholders with disparate goals. I also have some experience in county government as a member of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council. 3. How would your appointment enhance diversity of the BOCC? As a cis-gender, upper-middle class white woman, I experience a lot of privilege in my daily life. Having served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the South Pacific, I gained invaluable experiences in cultural humility and always try to bring an attitude of seeking to understand across differences. Additionally, my experience and perspective as a 34-year old who graduated from school during the great recession, and being a younger employee, have helped me stay tuned to economic and labor changes in recent years. Applications are due to the Orange County Clerk to the Board by 5 pm on January 6, 2023. Completed applications can be emailed to clerk@orangecountync.gov or delivered to 300 W. Tryon St.,2"d Flr., Hillsborough, NC 27278.