By Judge Williams Leah Duncan Esq.

Depending on who is doing the counting and how you consider the borders, there are anywhere from 11 to over 20 different neighborhoods that make up Pittsburgh’s Northside. A simple Google search will give you 12 listed neighborhoods while the Northside Leadership Council lists 18. One thing is for sure; no matter how you count the various neighborhoods here on the Northside, there is no shortage of opportunities for Northsiders to be informed and get involved in what’s happening in your particular neighborhood.

In the months of October and November alone, I found myself attending various community events from the wonderful Annual Brighton Heights Halloween Parade (congratulations to all) to the crime prevention focused monthly Public Safety Council meeting. Thankfully, publications such as The Northside Chronicle and various community-based newsletters are packed with information and calendars regarding upcoming community events giving us ample opportunity to stay informed. Still, getting involved has to be a personal choice.

Whether your passion is art, feeding and clothing those in need, crime prevention, community beautification, sports and youth activities or any number of other endeavors, the Northside has room and a need for you. A good way to start would be on social media or Google and simply doing a search on the name of your community. You may be amazed at the wealth of information regarding the who’s who and what’s what available right at your fingertips. Once you take the first step, which is finding your passion and interest and being informed, the getting involved part will fall into place.

To go even further, our involvement does not have to be limited to our own neighborhood. The City of Pittsburgh website (pittsburghpa.gov) lists the following 24 boards, authorities, and commissions as opportunities for residents of Pittsburgh to participate in helping our city live up to our one-time claim of being the country’s most livable city:

• Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN)
• Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD)
• Board of Appeals, City-County Task Force on Disabilities
• Civil Service Commission
• Clean Pittsburgh Commission
• Commission on Human Relations
• Comprehensive Municipal Pension Trust Fund
• Ethics Hearing Board
• Equipment Leasing Authority
• Equal Opportunity ReviewCommission (EORC)
• HIV Commission
• Gender Equity Commission
• Housing Authority
• City of Pittsburgh Independent Citizen Police Review Board
• LGBTQIA Commission
• Municipal Pension Fund
• Pittsburgh Land Bank
• Records Management Advisory Commission
• Shade Tree Commission
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
• Sports and Exhibition Authority
• Stadium Authority
• Urban Redevelopment Authority.

During the Housing & Human Rights Forum held on Nov. 9, I had a brief conversation with Rachel Shepherd, executive director of the Commission on Human Relations (CHR), and I was surprised to learn that a number of vacancies exist on this particular commission. Having served on CHR for several years in the early to mid-2000s, I can’t say enough about this most rewarding and impactful work. I also think back to my time on the Commission when then director, Charles Morrison, would often remind me that I was the only commissioner representing the Northside during my tenure. I encourage anyone interested in CHR’s goal (to decrease unfair treatment and discrimination by promoting justice and understanding among communities in the City of Pittsburgh) to seriously consider pursuing appointment to this commission.

I believe that Northsiders tend to be loyal to the Northside. Personally, I grew up on the Northside, then left Pittsburgh for college (we are Penn State) and the military. After my return, except for a brief stint in Bellevue (Northside adjacent) I have always lived on the Northside. Nevertheless, whether we direct our efforts to the particular needs of our smaller communities or expand our efforts across the rivers, the continued growth of our city relies on each citizen’s commitment to being informed and getting involved. Considering that the New Year is fast approaching and the country’s current state of transition, now would be a great time to start!

To learn more about the Mayor’s Appointments Project initiative designed to broaden and diversify the pool of candidates for City boards, authorities, and commissions and to apply to be considered for appointment, please visit the EngagePGH Volunteer Signup page.