Why Commission Meetings Feel Frustrating (And How to Fix That)

Ever leave a commission meeting feeling like a lot of people talked… but nothing actually happened?

In this episode of Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide, we talk about a frustration almost every new commissioner experiences and why it usually isn’t caused by dysfunction, disinterest, or bad leadership.

It’s caused by misaligned expectations.

Commission meetings aren’t decision-making bodies.They aren’t debate clubs.And they aren’t designed to solve everything in one night.

They exist to:

Gather information

Clarify issues

Discuss options

Shape recommendations

When meetings drift away from that purpose, frustration builds, even when everyone in the room is engaged and well-intentioned.

In this episode, we cover:

- Why meetings can feel unproductive even when they’re “working”

- What new commissioners often expect meetings to accomplish

- What commission meetings are actually designed to do

- How reframing expectations can completely change your experience

If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting wondering what the point was — this episode is for you.

This is Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide — local government, in plain English.

Working with staff is one of the least explained and most misunderstood parts of local government.

New commissioners often assume staff works with commissions, or for them.That assumption creates confusion, tension, and sometimes real damage to relationships.

In this episode, we break down the basic structure:

* Who staff actually work for

* Why individual commissioners don’t give staff direction

* And how misunderstanding these roles leads to frustration on all sides

This episode is about clarity, not criticism.

Because when roles are clear, collaboration becomes easier, calmer, and far more effective.

This is Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide — local government, in plain English.

Most people don’t misunderstand local government because they don’t care.

They misunderstand it because no one clearly explains where authority actually lives.

In this episode of Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide, I break down what authority commissions actually have, and just as importantly, what they don’t.

This episode covers the basics of advisory power and why confusing influence with authority leads to frustration, burnout, and broken trust.

The extended edition goes deeper, exploring how commission authority works in real life, why good ideas sometimes stall, and what actually gives a commission influence over time.

Season 1, Episode 2

Ordinance vs. Resolution: Why the Difference Matters

In this episode of Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide, we slow down on two words that come up constantly in local government — and are almost always misunderstood.

Ordinance.Resolution.

They sound similar.They are not the same.

An ordinance is law.It creates rules, establishes authority, and changes the municipal code.

A resolution expresses intent.It signals direction, support, or recognition — but it does not change the law.

Confusing the two leads to frustration, false expectations, and conversations that talk past one another — especially at board meetings, on commissions, and during public comment.

This episode explains the basic framework in plain language:

What an ordinance is

What a resolution is

Why the difference matters

And how misunderstanding these tools distorts expectations

This episode is about orientation and clarity — not consequences or strategy.

In the extended episode, we’ll talk about how ordinances and resolutions work in real life, where people get frustrated, and why this distinction quietly shapes what actually happens in local government.

This is Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide — local government, in plain English.

So you’ve just been appointed to a village or city commission, congratulations. But if your next thought was “Okay… now what?” this episode is for you.

In this short, practical conversation, I break down:

- What a commission is (and what it isn’t)

- Where a commission’s authority actually comes from

- What to do before your first meeting

- How effective commissioners really add value

Commissions don’t run government.They advise it.

Good commissioners ask better questions, listen more than they talk, and help elected officials make better decisions.

This is Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide — local government, in plain English.

Subscribers: an extended edition is available with deeper discussion on authority, working with staff, and how to stay effective without burning out.

A brief introduction to Patrick’s Poor Man’s Guide and what’s ahead in season one. Season One, Episode One premieres New Year’s Eve — December 31, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.