A recruitment campaign is now underway for a variety of positions, as the City of Lethbridge is accepting applications for City Council boards, commissions and committees.
According to the City, each public role provides an opportunity to participate in the present and future direction of the city. Whether they’re advisory, decision-making, quasi-judicial or governing roles, all of City Council values the input of residents appointed to these groups.
Applications will be accepted until Oct. 4. The Office of the City Clerk coordinates, on behalf of Council, board-member recruitment, appointments and training, as well as the establishment and classification of new committees and assists Council in developing guidelines for these bodies.
City Councillor and Chair of the Governance Standing Policy Committee Belinda Crowson says if you want to make a difference in your community, the City needs you.
“We need you to volunteer for these and give your opinions and help us decide the future of the city. It’s also a wonderful way, if you are a student or someone looking to build your resume or someone with great ideas, your ideas are required to make Lethbridge as best as we can be,” notes Crowson.
According to Crowson, the response is usually overwhelming for community participation. “There are many great applicants every year. We’re hoping to see the same thing.”
With a city of over 100,000 people, there are diverse backgrounds, opinions and a wide-range of education, adds Crowson. “The more we can reflect that around those tables, the more different the ideas are, the better we’re reflecting what citizens really want.”
Legislative Services Manager Ryan Westerson says current and past volunteers have said they’ve learned a lot about city governance and their community.
“They’ve been able to connect with individuals and groups around the city. Some have come as far as to actually becoming employees of the City. We’ve seen councillors, past and present, who have all contributed in past functions on our boards, commissions and committees,” notes Westerson.
Earlier this year, City Council directed a review of their boards, commissions and committees. This review is still ongoing and is scheduled to be before the Governance SPC Oct. 24. If there are changes to Council’s boards, commissions and committees, applicants will be contacted and their application may be utilized for alternate vacancies.
For more information, please contact the Office of the City Clerk through 3-1-1.
In 2023, City Council adopted a policy for honorariums for boards, committees and commissions.
