Vacancies on Cambridge Boards and Commissions

The City of Cambridge encourages and promotes involvement by residents in the decision-making process through participation in a variety of boards and commissions. Serving on a board or commission can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to the quality of life of the community in which you live or work. We rely greatly on the interest and involvement of those volunteers who seek a more active role in the functioning of their local government.

Selection for appointment to one of our boards and commissions is generally based on the following characteristics:

• A broad perspective and concern for the welfare and progress of the City
• A familiarity with the City’s history, issues and goals
• Interest in the functions/responsibilities of the board or commission under consideration
• City residency, in most cases
• A willingness to devote time and effort to the work of said board or commission
• Awareness of and understanding of the City’s ordinances and policies
• Balanced and diverse representation on boards and commissions as feasible

The following boards are advertising vacancies:

Bicycle Committee (Application Deadline is Friday, Oct. 31)
This committee works to improve conditions for bicyclists in the City of Cambridge and to promote bicycling as a means of transportation. Activities include organizing and participating in public events, such as biannual community bike rides; reviewing plans for road construction; commenting on proposed development projects; creating promotional materials to encourage bicycling in the city; and working with city departments on network planning. This committee generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway.

Pedestrian Committee (Application Deadline is Friday, Oct. 31)
This committee works to promote walking and to help create a more comfortable, safe, and pleasant environment for walking in Cambridge. It advises on the design of roadway projects and policies related to traffic calming, traffic signals, and sidewalk design. It also identifies intersections and other locations where it is difficult to walk, makes suggestions about proposed development projects as they affect people on foot, and undertakes other activities to promote walking. The committee creates and leads fun walking tours for the public. This committee generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway (November and December meetings are on the third Thursday.)

Application Process for Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees
Applications are sought by dedicated individuals who live or work in Cambridge. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings as well as engage in projects outside of regular meetings. Appointments are made by the City Manager and are for two years of service. For more information, call 617-349-4600. To apply, please prepare a cover letter indicating which committee you are interested in, a description of your interest in the topic, and any specific issues you would like to contribute time to working on. Please be sure to include your home mailing address, phone number, and email. Send to:
Richard C. Rossi, City Manager C/O Diane Bongiorno
Community Development Department
344 Broadway, Cambridge, Ma 02139
Email: Dbongiorno@cambridgema.gov

Climate Protection Action Committee Vacancies (Application Deadline 11-10-14)
The committee, which consists of residents and representatives of the universities, the business community, and community organizations, advises the City on climate change mitigation and preparedness strategies and measures. Cambridge has been working on climate change action since 1999.  The City has an overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.  A new set of climate protection goals and objectives was adopted by the City Council this year.  Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change will require concerted action by the entire community, and the committee is an important element of the effort to develop policies and programs to help residents, businesses, institutions, and organizations incorporate energy efficiency, renewable energy, resilience, and other measures into their homes and work places.   For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/climate. 

Cambridge GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Commission Vacancies (Application Deadline 11-24-14)
Prospective Commissioners must either reside or work in Cambridge. The GLBT Commission advocates for a culture of respect and monitors progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Commission also monitors policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare and safety of all persons who live, visit or work in the City of Cambridge with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/glbt or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/Cambridge.GLBT.Commission.

Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) Vacancies (Application Deadline 12-5-14)
Made up of 11 Members who serve three-year terms in a volunteer capacity, the CCPD Board meets on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m., at 51 Inman St., 2^nd floor conference room, Cambridge.  Members must be current residents of Cambridge. CCPD works to maximize access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for individuals with disabilities, strives to raise awareness of disability matters, to eliminate discrimination, and to promote equal opportunity for people with all types of disabilities – physical, mental and sensory.  CCPD Members are expected to work with other Members and CCPD staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the CCPD Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code, Chapter 2.96).  CCPD Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate in subcommittees and work on various short and/or long-term projects, as needed.