What’s one of the best ways to get involved locally in leadership? Joining local boards + commissions.

The Columbia area is full of different nonprofits, and those nonprofits have leadership boards, and the people serving on those leadership boards collectively make an impact locally. Want to make a difference in your city? Maybe consider looking into which local nonprofits have open board seats.

We want to help you with the first step — we want to put together a list of those open positions so they’re all in one place. Whether you work for a local nonprofit looking to expand your board or are already a board member who knows of an open position, share it with us.

Open board seats

We asked, and you answered, Columbians. Last week, we encouraged folks who work for (or with) local nonprofits to share vacant board positions with us so we could encourage citizens to consider joining local nonprofits and make an impact in their community.

Below are a few that our readers submitted:

"EmmanuWheel would like to engage with one or more individuals who are interested in helping those with mobility challenges."

"Friends of Gaston SC Library is a new organization in dire need of a vice president, treasurer, secretary, and social media and advertising officer. We are just starting the organization and need help getting it up off the ground. Please contact President Danielle Oberski if interested in getting involved (305) 546-9289."

"Friends of the MetCAC — we have several open seats for this nonprofit including VP"

"Suzuki Academy of Columbia, we have 1-2 open board seats! We are a non-profit music school that believes music is world-changing and strengthens community."

"Turning Pages SC currently has three board positions open. Turning Pages SC is an adult reading program in Central South Carolina. Our free reading programs and tutoring services are available at over 24 public partner locations in Richland, Lexington, and Aiken County. Apply on our website."

"Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment"

"Work In Progress has open Board of Directors Positions - seeking local business owners and individuals with experience related to a person's recovery from mental illness. Example: A person with a relative who is living with a mental illness. Advocacy for individuals experiencing a mental illness and benefitting from employment services through Work In Progress Nonprofit. Please email ajolly@workinprogresscolumbia.com"