A diverse group of people take a selfie in front of an American flag.

Why the Semiquincentennial Matters

This milestone is more than just another date on the calendar. It’s a unique opportunity for communities to reflect on local history, celebrate civic pride, and engage residents in meaningful ways. Many states are forming official 250th commissions, and local governments are being encouraged to get involved early—often by forming special boards or committees to plan events and initiatives.

The 250th anniversary of the United States—our Semiquincentennial—is fast approaching, and municipal clerks are at the heart of the preparations. Team ClerkBase knows how vital your work is in bringing your community together for historic moments like this.

Best practices to get ready for the Big 250:

1. Start Early and Build a Solid Foundation

  • Your legislative body should form a dedicated Semiquincentennial committee or task force as soon as possible. Be ready with a team of staff in place to help. Most states already have a 250 Commission at the state level.

  • Involve a diverse group of stakeholders, including local historians, educators, and civic leaders, to ensure broad representation and creative ideas.

  • Outline clear goals and timelines for your committee to keep everyone on track.

2. Keep Organization Front and Center

  • Document all decisions, meeting notes, and action items in a central, accessible place.

  • Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and adjust plans as needed.

  • Use templates for agendas and minutes to streamline meeting preparation and follow-up.

3. Foster Community Engagement

  • Encourage public participation by making it easy for residents to join committees or volunteer for events.

  • Share updates and opportunities for involvement through your municipal website, newsletters, and social media.

4. Leverage Technology for Efficiency

Managing multiple boards and committees can quickly become overwhelming, especially with new groups forming for the Semiquincentennial. This is where OnBoardGOV comes in:

  • Centralized Management: OnBoardGOV provides a user-friendly, cloud-based platform for organizing all your board and committee information in one place, making it easy to track members, meetings, and documents.

  • Customizable Workflows: Tailor the platform to fit your municipality’s unique needs, including custom fields for agendas (Meeting Center) and reports.

  • Reporting and Analytics: Easily generate custom reports, track attendance, and monitor trends over time, helping you demonstrate progress and transparency.

  • Streamlined Communication: OnBoardGOV simplifies sharing updates, documents, and meeting schedules with committee members and the public, promoting transparency and engagement.

  • Time Savings: Many clerks have found that using OnBoardGOV saves significant time and reduces administrative burdens, allowing you to focus on what matters most—making the Semiquincentennial a success for your community.

5. Celebrate Milestones and Document Your Journey

  • Track your committee’s achievements and share stories with the community.

  • Archive important documents and photos to preserve your municipality’s role in this historic celebration.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the Semiquincentennial is a unique opportunity to showcase your community’s history, pride, and spirit. By staying organized, engaging your residents, and leveraging tools like OnBoardGOV, you’ll be well-equipped to lead your municipality through a memorable and meaningful 250th anniversary.