City recruiting for boards, commissions and committees
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on August 1, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com Want to have a voice in the present and future of the city?Well, the opportunity to have that voice opened on Monday as the City of Lethbridge began accepting applications to serve on its boards, commissions and committees.
Legislative Services Manager Ryan Westerson said Monday that applications will be open until Sept. 22.
There are 24 vacancies this year – down from 40 in 2022 – on a range of civic bodies which help council in its role as the governing body of Lethbridge.
Members are appointed by council to represent council on various initiatives and projects,” said Westerson.
Those bodies include the Galt Museum board, Heart of our City committee, the Youth Advisory council and the police commission, he said.
The boards provide the public a chance to provide feedback, assistance and engagement on civic matters.
Westerson said the City has struggled from 2020 to the end of COVID to get applicants for the BCCs. In 2022, there were about 75 applicants for the 40 vacancies.
Westerson said the City is hoping honorariums that have been recently approved by council might spur some interest.
Public members of BCCs will be paid for sitting in meetings at year end as appreciation for their time, he said.
Standing committee members, for example, will get $25 per meeting, the chairs will get $50. Each person has to attend more than 50 per cent of meetings to be compensated.
For boards and commission regular meetings, members will get $100 and the chairs $125.
Members will be paid $50 to attend a new training program that was implemented last year.
The combative sports commission operates somewhat differently with members paid $100 per day for major events; the chair and vice chair will get $125 a day for a major event.
Time commitments vary depend on the workload. One commission might require five to eight hours a week, another eight hours a month, said Westerson.
Applicants can find a list of openings on the City website at https://www.lethbridge.ca/council-administration-governance/boards-commissions-and-committees/
Each committee has a tab with an application form.
BCCs currently looking for members include the Animal Welfare Committee, Assessment Review Board, Combative Sports Commission, Heart of Our City Committee, Historic Places Advisory Committee, Lethbridge Library Board, Alexander Galt Museum and Archives Board of Directors and the Youth Advisory Council whose members must be at least 14 years old and younger than 25.
When an application is received, it goes through a blind vetting process. Interview and selection panels will only receive a candidate number. When a person actually sits down for an interview, that will be the first time the panels see that person. Applications go through a review process and are vetted. If they meet the skills matrix for each BCC, they’ll go through to the interview process, with all applicants being informed of their status.
Mayor Blaine Hyggen said “our city council truly values the importance of input from our residents” appointed to the groups.
“BCCs provide Lethbridge city council with information, advice and recommendations regarding important community issues and topics,” the mayor said with BCCs being made up of a combination of residents, organizational representatives, City staff and members of council depending on the BCC.
“They’re formed to help handle city affairs efficiently” by representing the broader community, he said.
“Being a BCC member is one important way to provide your voice in council’s decision. Each public role provides an opportunity to participate in the present and future direction of the city,” said the mayor.
“Sitting on one of the City’s Boards, Commissions and Committees is an exceptional way to contribute to your community. Your voice, your opinions, your hopes and your goals for our city are important,” he added.
Mark Campbell and several others spoke from their perspective about the value of sitting on BCCs.
“The word that comes to my mind when anyone is thinking about getting involved is bring your perspective. What is your perspective of what is important to you in the city? It may not be the perspective that everyone agrees with but it’s always great to bring that opinion to a board like that. Give us your input, we need to know,” said Campbell.
Councillor Jenn Schmidt-Rempel said serving on a BCC can give the public an opportunity “to learn how to experience a board at a governance level. It’s an opportunity to build some skill sets in so far as communication, getting the information from the group that you represent back to city council.”
She said the Youth Advisory Council has done a fantastic job this year of advising council, as an example.
She also cited the Subdivision Appeal Board, which is a quasi-judicial board that lets people make decisions with regard to zoning and applications that go on throughout the city.
“That is the next step up from council so that when you make a decision while you’re sitting on that board the only thing that can overturn that decision is the Court of King’s Bench so that group has almost as much power as the Lethbridge city council does.”
Belinda Crowson added “not only are you volunteering but these are fun positions” which can develop friendships and help people get a better understanding of their community.
“Yes we need your perspective and we need a diverse perspective. I’m hoping we can really reach out the wider community” and get people onto boards, she said. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
-3
