I think a few folks were keeping their eye open for this. Last month the Governor announced the formation of the Task Force. The Secretary of State’s Notice of Vacancies is now online – and so the application process is now open.

Here’s the announcement:

GOVERNOR’S TASK FORCE ON BROADBAND

85 E 7TH PLACE, #500
ST PAUL, MN 55101 651-284-4213
EXEC. ORDER 11-27
Appointing: Governor
Compensation: None
Vacancies: Fifteen (15) – Members
To develop, implement and promote state broadband policy, planning and initiatives to achieve State broadband needs and goals. Inventory, assess and report on various aspects of broadband. Develop a Minnesota Broadband Plan outline. Membership includes a maximum of 15 members, representative of both metro and greater Minnesota. A balance of broadband interests, include: consumers, education institutions, health care institutions, telephone companies, cable companies, wireless companies, metropolitan areas and rural areas. Meetings will be held at least monthly in St. Paul, MN.

You can download a registration form and get other details online. Details are not specific to the broadband opportunity – but will tell you more about the general application process.

And here are more general notes:

When submitting your application, please include the following documents:
– Open Appointments Application Form – completed, signed & dated

• Particular Notes:
•  The line that asks for “Agency Name” – should reflect the name of the group to which you are applying
• The line that asks for “Position Sought” – should reflect the title of the seat listed in this announcement

– Letter of Interest
– Resume or Biography

Submit By Mail or in Person:
Open Appointments
Secretary of State’s Office
180 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155-1299

Submit By E-Mail:open.appointments@state.mn.us

Submit via FAX: 651-296-9073

Finally, it looks like the deadline for application is September 27 – although that may be a soft deadline:

Applications submitted by September 27, 2011 are assured of full consideration by the appointing authority. Appointing authorities for these agencies may choose to review applications received by the Secretary of State after that date. Applications are kept on file for a one year period.

I know that the documents say that they will meet in St Paul, however in the past, Task Force members have been able to join the meetings remotely. The original Task Force decided at one of the first meetings that remote attendance would be OK; although I seem to recall that remote attendees may not have been able to vote. I imagine the new Task Force will have to make a decision on remote attendance – with support from legal experts – but it seems like a precedent has been set to allow for it.

If distance is a barrier for application, I encourage you to call the numbers included for more information. I will see if I can get more info – and will post here if I get any news.