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Hawaii’s government needs people with solid private sector experience to serve on public boards or commissions. There are a few things that might deter one from doing this, even apart from the time commitment.

We have seen some public board members given a real hazing by a legislative committees, although this is the rare exception. We can all see the reputational risks of life in the public arena. And typically, the pay is zero.

So why even consider doing public service? This piece will offer a few possible reasons, although there are others:

• Think big picture, beyond just the interests of the entity you work for.
• Learn something about government process, including how the legislative and executive branches work together (or don’t), and why some of the seemingly bureaucratic procedures are really there for risk management.
• Learn to operate in a quasi-political environment where the public and press can take an interest in what you are doing. Become more circumspect. Develop a thicker skin. Learn when to stay above the fray.
• Sharpen your understanding of conflicts of interest, which are typically less important in business, but critical in government where public moneys are being handled and one must act in the public interest.
• Learn that you can sometimes influence legislative policy, not just worry about compliance with rules made by others.
• Meet some interesting people; make some good connections.
• Stop thinking of government as a faceless institution run by bureaucrats in grey flannel suits. See inside, see the human aspects.
• Test out your idea that you might want to run for public office or be a cabinet member one day.

For many people, coming from the private sector into the public sector, even on a volunteer part-time basis, can be a rude shock.

Yes, you will have to decide up front not to roll your eyes or let your jaw hang slack when you are in a public meeting. You may now and then think of Alice in Disney’s animated film of “Alice in Wonderland” as she falls into the rabbit hole and waves goodbye to her cat.

But in the end, when you come out the other side, you will see the world with new eyes and have a better foundation for dabbling in public policy issues. On balance, it is a fair trade.

But one thing that you should not expect is gratitude from the public. There is no brass band or gold watch waiting at the end. This is something you do for yourself, not to “give back” as if you were the greatest thing since sliced bread. It takes even more humility to serve in government than in business.

Why? Because the problems faced by the government are often far more intractable than those faced by business. And because more cooks are involved in making the soup.

For my own part, I think there is altogether too much griping coming from the public these days. As Sean Connery says to Kevin Costner in “The Untouchables,” “What are you prepared to do?”

Oh yeah, in that scene Connery was lying in a pool of blood after being riddled with bullets. Maybe next time, I pick a different quote.

But the point remains: There are great benefits from serving on a government board or commission. Click here to view many . Each county also similar agencies that can be found online.