Help guide decision-making in your community by serving on an advisory committee or board

Help guide decision-making in your community by volunteering to serve on an advisory committee or board

The City of Kitchener is looking for a diverse range of volunteers to lend their unique voices and perspectives to help guide the City’s decision-making by joining various committees and boards. Community members serving on an advisory committee provide advice and feedback to City Council and standing committees in a variety of areas, including downtown, economic development, heritage and safe communities, and boards have the autonomy to make decisions for the good of their organizations.

The City is seeking volunteers to serve on the following advisory committees and boards:

• Arts and culture advisory committee
• Compass Kitchener advisory committee
• Active transportation and trails advisory committee
• Downtown action and advisory committee
• Dog designation appeal committee
• Economic development advisory committee
• Environmental advisory committee
• Equity and anti-racism advisory committee
• Heritage Kitchener
• Committee of adjustment
• Property standards appeal committee
• Licensing tribunal
• Centre in the Square board of directors
• Kitchener Housing Inc. board of directors
• Kitchener Public Library board

Why serve on an advisory committee or board? Volunteering makes a difference in our community and is a great way to give back. It’s also an opportunity to help influence decision-making in your local government and be part of democracy in action. You will learn new skills, build your understanding of how municipal government works, and make connections with other passionate members of the Kitchener community.

Applications are reviewed based on how well they represent the diversity of the community, the candidate’s expertise and interest in a topic area, and the goals of each advisory committee. Applications for citizen advisory committees will be reviewed by a nominating committee that consists of members appointed by City Council. Interested candidates are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible on their applications to ensure their skills and expertise can be properly considered by the nominating committee. Once this process is complete, the nominating committee will present Council with a list of candidates for each committee. Each board is responsible for its own board member applications and will review applications based on the same criteria as advisory committees as well as skills and experience. Once board candidates are selected, they will also be presented to Council.

Applications are now open and will be accepted until Sept. 16. For more information or to apply online, visit www.kitchener.ca/advisorycommittees. For assistance in completing your application, contact Simran Bassi at 519-741-2200 ext. 7069.