City of Kingston committees looking for volunteers from diverse backgrounds
Do you want to help shape your community? Bring your knowledge and lived experiences to a City of Kingston citizen advisory committee or legislated board. Applications from eligible residents/business owners in Kingston will be received until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 30, 2021.
Kingston City Council establishes committees, working groups and boards as a way for citizens to provide input and make recommendations on matters that affect the entire community, the City said in a release dated Wednesday, Apr. 14, 2021. They rely on citizen volunteers to bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to participate on these committees, working groups and boards.
“Advisory committees serve as an avenue of communication and consultation between the community and Council,” says Janet Jaynes, Deputy Clerk for the City of Kingston. “When the City is able to draw on the knowledge and experience of a diverse range of voices, Kingston and all of its residents benefit.”
The City is seeking new members for the following:
Advisory Committees
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (9 public members)
- Heritage Kingston (2 public members)
- Arts Advisory Committee (1 public member)
Legislated Committees and Boards
- Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (1 public member)
- Taxi Commission (1 public member)
The specific mandates for each committee and commission are available online at CityofKingston.ca/Committees.
Those interested in serving must be 18 years or older, a resident/business owner in Kingston, and be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, a person who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada but is not a Canadian Citizen, and has resided in Kingston for at least one year.
Reducing barriers to application and participation
Applications close at 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2021. Residents can apply to their preferred committee in two different ways:
- Apply using the online form at www.CityofKingston.ca/Committees
- Request a paper copy of the application by calling 613-546-0000. The City will provide a postage-paid envelope to return the application to City Hall.
The City is also looking for feedback on the committee recruitment and nominations process. They are welcoming suggestions on how to increase diversity on municipal committees, working groups and boards.
“We want to make sure that everyone in Kingston feels welcome to apply to participate on the City’s committees, working groups and boards,” says John Bolognone, City Clerk. “By receiving feedback from all citizens, past and current committee members and the Nominations Advisory Committee, we aim to reduce barriers and increase participation from under-represented individuals in our community.”
Get Involved, Kingston!
- From April 12 to 30, go to Get Involved Kingston to complete an online survey to offer feedback on your experience
- Request a paper copy of the survey by calling 613-546-4291 ext. 1900. The City will provide a postage-paid envelope to return the survey to City Hall.
- Complete the survey over the phone with City staff by calling 613-546-4291 ext. 1900
The City said they expect the feedback will be used to develop recommendations that will be provided to the Administrative Policies Committee in June. This Committee Recruitment engagement responds to two recent motions from Council (one on Dec. 1, 2020 and another on Dec. 15/16, 2020).