An Inside Look into Board Service with City Year Los Angeles Board Chair Glenn Gritzner

Serving on the board of an organization like City Year Los Angeles is more than attending meetings and fundraising – the responsibilities of individual board members reflect the organization itself, which is rooted in service to school communities. For City Year Los Angeles Board Chair Glenn Gritzner, board service has been a commitment of his for nearly twenty years, based on his deep belief in the power of young people and education.  

Glenn’s connection to City Year Los Angeles began before there was even a Los Angeles chapter of the organization. At the time, cities had to prove their need for City Year’s AmeriCorps Members in local school communities before City Year could establish a chapter there. As City Year leaders were considering which American city to expand to next, Glenn saw it as a no-brainer: “LA absolutely needs City Year, and City Year absolutely needs LA,” he recalls.  

Since City Year LA’s launch, Glenn has remained a steadfast supporter of the organization and was one of the first members of the board. “[Students] get help from a cool young person, not just a tutor or teacher. There’s a lot of power in that,” Glenn explains. He also highlights the lasting impact that service has on City Year LA Corps Members themselves, as their service experience carries through their lives in meaningful ways. 

As Board Chair, Glenn sees his role as more than just governance. An effective board member, he believes, should bring resources to the organization, but ‘resources’ can mean several different things. “It’s not just financial. It’s thought leadership, being a partner to staff, and helping Corps Members transition to life after City Year,” he says. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining an authentic connection to the work, ensuring that board members feel engaged and inspired.

When asked why he specifically chose City Year Los Angeles, Glenn emphasizes the spirit of seeing on-the-ground how City Year Corps Members are changing student lives. “There’s nothing like it,” he says. “You walk onto a campus, and there’s the power greeting, Corps members are high-fiving students – it’s a different kind of energy. You see firsthand how they’re adding value.” It’s that spirit of connection and empowerment that has kept him involved with City Year Los Angeles for nearly two decades.  

For those considering board service – whether with City Year Los Angeles or any other organization – Glenn has simple advice: experience it for yourself. For City Year, “Service Days are a great way to see what we do,” he says. “Everybody who gives their time gets it.” For him, seeing City Year in action was the catalyst for years of service to the organization, which continues today.