5 Myths & Misconceptions About Boards & Councils

Serving on a board or town council is a great way to get involved with your community. But there are some common myths and misconceptions about what boards and councils do — and being a member of one. Midwest Assistance Program staff identified five including:

Myth #1: All that board/council does is talk and drink coffee.
Mythbuster: The majority of boards/councils are hardworking groups, volunteering more time than they expected to help solve a problem for their community and contribute to its survival.

Read the rest of MAP’s myths about boards and councils by clicking here.

You also can learn how serving on a board or council benefits you and your community, tips for better board/council meetings and what makes a good board/council member in the Spring issue of MAP’s Source newsletter.

South Dakota Success Stories

Fix for an antiquated system

(pdf, 144k)

Where: Provo Township in southwestern South Dakota.
Problem: Old, failing water system posed public health and safety risks.
Solution: MAP staff provided technical assistance to secure funding for system replacement and will assist with bid and construction process.


Large holes in Provo’s water tower cause major concern.

Provo Township, an unincorporated town in southwestern South Dakota, has about 100 residents, a median income of $26,000, and nearly 20 percent of residents considered low income. 

In the 1930s, the United States constructed the Black Hills Army Ordinance Depot in the Provo area.  With about 10,000 residents, the Army constructed a water tower, distribution system and lagoon for the community. After the depot closed in 1967, the board of supervisors managed the water and sewer system, which now has reached the end of its useful life.

MAP staff consulted with the Rapid City Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which conducted a sanitary survey of the system that indicated it posed significant public health and safety issues. Large holes in the water tower dome were of particular concern.

The board of supervisors asked MAP to provide technical assistance to rehabilitate their system.  MAP assisted with a financing plan, funding applications and communication with Rural Development, Black Hills Council of Local Governments, the S.D. State Attorney’s office, S.D. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and others, as well as helping community officials with public meetings and a vote. 

As a result, Provo Township was awarded full funding for its project via a State Consolidated Grant program/Governor's Office of Economic Development and a Community Development Block Grant.

MAP staff will provide technical assistance during the bid process and construction of the system and storage facility to ensure the needs of the community are met.

For more information, contact:
Phone: 952-758-4334
Fax: 952-758-4336
E-mail: map@map-inc.org

MAP is a member of the RCAP network and an equal-opportunity lender, provider and employer.