Volunteer positions available on City boards and commissions

Fulfill a vacancy, serve your community

September 27, 2019 - by Mia Steben, Mayor's Office

Bellingham residents can serve their community through participating in City of Bellingham boards, commissions and committees. These volunteer positions are excellent opportunities to meet new people, become civically engaged and provide critical support of City projects. Volunteers advise policy makers on a variety of topics ranging from community development to protecting and restoring the Lake Whatcom reservoir and watershed.​

Current board and commission vacancies are listed below. Board and commission members must live within the Bellingham City limits and have done so for at least one year, unless otherwise specified. Some residency exceptions may apply to certain boards. To learn more about the board vacancies, visit the boards and commissions webpage. Anyone interested in serving may pick up an application from the centralized reception at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, or print one off the City's website.

CURRENT VACANCIES

The Planning and Development Commission is an advisory group, charged with making recommendations to the City Council on matters related to comprehensive planning, land use regulations and community development. There is one vacancy on the commission. The commission meets on the second and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.

The Citizens' Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG) facilitates ongoing citizen participation in support of the Whatcom metropolitan planning area transportation planning process, offers advisory feedback on various issues to the Whatcom Transportation Policy Board and serves as the Community Advisory Panel for the Whatcom Transportation Authority. There is one City-appointed vacancy open for this group. The group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the Whatcom Council of Governments offices.

The Civil Service Commission provides for classification of over 500 civil service employees and for open and competitive examinations at both entry and promotional levels. The commission also can review the suspension, removal, or discharge of any civil service employees and will investigate such actions, hold public meetings and reinstate employees, if justified. There is one vacancy on the commission, which meets the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall. County residents welcome to apply.

The Community Development Advisory Board advises the City Council, the Mayor, the Planning Commission and various City Departments, as appropriate, concerning the formation of policies and plans and identification of projects in order to carry out the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and HOME Investment Partnership Program. There are two current Ward (4 and 5) vacancies on the board. CDAB meets the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Mayor's Board Room at City Hall.

The Greenway Advisory Committee identifies, develops, revises and recommends selection criteria, general project priorities and specific actions relating to the expenditure and allocation of Greenway Levy Funds. There is one vacancy on the committee, which meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Mayor's Board Room at City Hall.

The Historic Preservation Commission identifies and actively encourages the conservation of the City of Bellingham's historic resources by initiating and maintaining a register of historic places and reviewing proposed changes to register properties; raises community awareness of the City's history and historic resources; and serves as the City's primary resource in matters of history, historic planning, and preservation. There is one vacancy on the commission, which meets the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall.

The Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board (WAB) provides citizen advice to the City regarding the protection, clean-up and restoration of the Lake Whatcom reservoir and watershed. The WAB also advises on the acquisition and management of properties in the City's watershed land acquisition program. There are two vacancies on the board, which meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Public Works Operations. 

The Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District (BWPFD) was formed in July 2002 as a joint effort of the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County and pursuant to State legislation on the creation of regional centers. There are three vacancies on the board, which meets the fourth Wednesday of the month every three months at 11 a.m. in the Law Library at City Hall. County residents welcome to apply.

The Sister Cities Advisory Board advises the Mayor and all involved City departments concerning the establishment and maintenance of sister city relationships between the City of Bellingham and cities of other countries. There are seven vacancies on the board, which meets the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayor's Board Room, City Hall. County residents welcome to apply.

The Tourism Commission helps to establish, maintain, and coordinate relationships between agencies promoting tourism to the region and the city. There is one vacancy on the commission. The commission meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m. in various locations; see the website for updates. County residents welcome to apply.

ELIGIBILITY AND CONTACTS

Candidates must currently live within Bellingham City limits and have done so for a least one year, unless otherwise specified. Some residency exceptions may apply to certain boards. Please contact the Mayor's Office for clarification at (360) 778-8100.


Media Contact

Media Contacts
Vanessa Blackburn, Communication Director
Mayor's Office
(360) 778-8115
vablackburn@cob.org


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