Applicant Requirements
Most — but not all — City advisory groups require members to live within Bellingham City limits and have done so for at least one year, unless otherwise specified. Specific boards and commissions may have additional requirements, which are listed on the Board, Commission and Work Group Openings webpage. Elected City officials, City officers and employees, and residents having conflicts of interest are ineligible for appointments to City advisory boards. For details about each group, see our Boards and Commission page.
Application and Appointment Process
- Applicants who meet the requirements for the position(s) they are interested in pursuing should submit an application form below. You may submit applications for specific groups whether or not there are current vacancies. You may submit applications for multiple advisory groups of interest to you.
- Applications are retained in the Mayor’s Office pending an opening on the board or commission. The application will be kept on file for one year and consulted each time an opening occurs within that year.
- You may be contacted by telephone for further information or to confirm your continued willingness to serve. Personal interviews sometimes are arranged.
- When an appointment decision is made, those who have been contacted will be informed of the decision. The appointment is presented to the City Council for approval (if required) or for Council’s information.
- A letter of appointment from the Mayor’s Office will follow, indicating the term of appointment. The department responsible for staffing the board or commission will contact the appointee for orientation and notice of the first meeting.
