City looking for new resident panel members to help shape the future of Kitchener

The City of Kitchener is seeking 40 community members who will bring a diverse mix of voices, perspectives, and lived experience to the Plan WITH Us Kitchener Resident Panel.

For the first time, the City is inviting a diverse group of residents to become more deeply involved in making recommendations on the strategic work that the City should take over the next four years. Anyone 14 years of age and older who lives, goes to school, works, or owns a business or property in Kitchener is eligible. The City’s goal is to mirror the diversity of the community in the volunteer panel.

“Over the summer months, as part of the City’s efforts to build its new 20-year strategic plan, so many residents within our Kitchener community provided valuable input about what is important to them as we think about the future of our City,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Their input will be critical in helping shape that long-term vision for our City, and for that, we are extremely grateful,” he added.

“Now, this resident panel will be a new opportunity for passionate community members to have a meaningful and immediate impact by helping to shape the first four years of the City of Kitchener’s commitments and investments as part of that longer-term plan,” added Mayor Vrbanovic.

The panel will meet four or five times, from November through April, with senior-level staff, other volunteers, and a consulting team to learn about diverse and complex community issues impacting the City of Kitchener. They will discuss information received from experts, community members and presenters; share their perspectives; and come to consensus on a set of recommendations for the 2023-2026 strategic plan.

Angie Fritz-Walters, engagement and program manager for the Strategic Plan, said the panel’s recommendations will provide an important resident perspective for staff and council to consider as the Strategic Plan is developed.

“The Plan WITH Us Resident Panel is an opportunity for residents who care deeply about Kitchener’s future,” she said. “They will learn from staff, experts and other community members and evaluate the trade-offs and compromises that are involved in strategic planning.”

Applications are open now and close on Oct. 16, 2022. To apply, visit kitchener.ca/stratplanpanel

For more details, visit Engage Kitchener or contact Angie Fritz-Walters, Engagement and Program Manager, Strategic Plan, at angie.fritzwalters@kitchener.ca or 519-741-2200 ext. 7059 TTY: 1-866-969-9994

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For more information, contact

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca