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The Bellingham Plan community work group will meet throughout 2024. The group’s feedback will help inform the City’s 2025 Comprehensive Plan update.
Comprehensive plans are used by communities to establish high-level goals and policies that guide development, capital investments, city programs and other actions. The Comprehensive Plan goes through a major update each decade to ensure it remains relevant and responds to changing conditions in the community and region. The next update for cities within Whatcom County is due by June 30, 2025.
The 2025 update will be known as the Bellingham Plan. Most of the Plan will remain, but we are focusing on several themes for updates:
- Accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Climate mitigation and resilience
- Economic vitality
- Housing options and affordability
- Public health and safety
- Vibrant and unique places.
Visit the Bellingham Plan engagement page to learn about additional engagement opportunities.
Community work group members will play a vital role in our city’s update. This work group will include a diverse group of people from our community who want to help to shape the future of Bellingham. The work group provides an opportunity for individuals from communities that have historically been underrepresented in the public process to engage in shaping our community’s future. Work group participants will be compensated for their time and expertise.
Scope and Commitments
- Between January and November 2024, the work group will meet on the second Wednesday of each month (10-11 times) to discuss key issues and priorities outlined in the Bellingham Plan.
- Meetings will last between one and two hours between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Work group members are expected to attend a minimum of 10 of the 11 meetings, making use of the virtual attendance option if necessary.
- Work group members have the option to receive a stipend, with the potential to receive up to $600 in total for their involvement in 11 meetings.
- Work group members will agree to follow principles of participation for meetings.
The ideal candidates for the work group have a significant connection to Bellingham through their work, residence, or school.
They are passionate about their community but have not been consistently involved in the public process before. For example, they have not previously served on a City board or committee and do not regularly attend City meetings.
Work group members will come from a wide range of neighborhoods and demographics, and have broad perspective on issues and priorities within Bellingham.
Applicants must be 18 years or older.
We encourage people who live and/or work in Bellingham to apply, particularly:
- Renters
- Full- or part-time students
- 18-24-year-olds
- Individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
- Individuals with an annual household income below $50,000
- Individuals with disabilities (visible or invisible)
- Adults who use services*
- Immigrants and others whose primary language is not English**
- Mobility-impaired individuals
- Those who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness
- LGBTQ+ individuals
- Affiliated with a local tribe
- Bikers and other micro-mobility users
- Transit users
- Veterans or current service members
- Seniors
- Single-member households
- Remote workers
* By adults using services we mean community members who use, need or may rely on financial, physical, or general human service from the City, federal/state government, or a nonprofit/community-based organization.
** Meeting materials can be translated upon request.
The City is collaborating with Peak Sustainability Group, a Bellingham-based organization, to organize the work group. If you have any additional questions on the work group after reviewing the frequently asked questions below, email sam@peaksustainability.com or call (360) 596-5075.
You can contact project staff for the Bellingham Plan at TheBellinghamPlan@cob.org or (360) 778-8310.
Q1: How much will I be compensated?
A1: Individuals will receive a stipend of up to $600 for attending all 10-11 meetings. For any meetings missed, the stipend will be prorated.
Individuals who will otherwise be compensated for their participation (e.g., by their employer) are not eligible for the stipend. Individuals will have the option to opt out of receiving a stipend, as desired.
Q2: How will I receive the stipend?
A2: Participation stipends will be distributed quarterly in the form of a gift card. Individuals can choose whether to receive an electronic gift card by email or a physical card by mail.
The stipend is meant to offset any costs to participate (e.g., transportation or childcare).
Q3: I’ve been involved in City processes before (e.g., sat on a board or council; participated consistently in city council meetings). Can I still apply to be part of this work group?
A3: People who are already active in Bellingham public processes are welcome to apply. However, this work group is designed to amplify the voices of people who have not been involved in City boards, work groups, and meetings in the past. Priority will be given to those individuals.
Q4: When and where will work group meetings be held?
A4: Work group meetings will be held in-person, at an ADA accessible venue near downtown Bellingham. Meetings will occur between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month:
Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, and Nov. 13.
In-person attendance is highly encouraged. A remote option for attendance will be available for members who are otherwise unable to participate (e.g., individuals who may be sick, individuals with compromised immune systems, or people with limited mobility).
Q5: How many individuals will make up the work group?
A5: The work group will consist of 12-15 individuals.
Apply
The application is now closed.
