We are here to serve and the city of Burlington has numerous opportunities for those who want to serve their community.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  November 19, 2012  Burlington, like many other municipalities across the province, looks to its citizens for advice, guidance and fresh ideas.

Among those currently looking for people who want to serve and feel they have something useful to offer are:

    Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee

    Burlington Civic Recognition Awards Committee

    Burlington Cycling Committee

    Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee

    Burlington Mundialization Committee

    Burlington Public Library Board

    Burlington Sustainable Development Committee

    Burlington Transit Advisory Committee

    Heritage Burlington

    Heritage Umbrella Group (HUG)

    Burlington Seniors’ Advisory Committee

    Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee

    The Board of Directors of Burlington Hydro Electric

Members of the Inclusivity Advisory Committee who put on a Civic Square BBQ event to draw attention to an initiative they developed. Advisory committees are not just attending meetings – lots of fun as well.

The Waterfront Access committee has been sunset by the city – shouldn’t have been on the list, but if the waterfront interests you – get in touch with Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and take part in the ad hoc committee that she formed when the Waterfront committee, formed by Cam Jackson before the 2010 municipal election, was shut down effective December 31st.

While we have not attended meetings of  every Advisory committee we have been to enough of them (the only media in the city to do so by the way) and we can tell you that some work very well while others are walking disasters where people shout at each other, throw documents at each other and get precious little done.

At the same time there are others that are close to sterling in what they do and the advice they pass on to city council committees.  The city actually outsources much related to heritage in the city to Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee.  It is an exceptionally well run committee but it has some deeply rooted differences of opinion on property rights and the role heritage plays in the creation of a balanced community.

The differences are real and for the most part respected – it is a pleasure to watch the dynamic created when different opinions work towards a solution they can all live with.

Working in that kind of an environment takes a level of maturity not seen on some committees.  So if you decide serving your city in an advisory capacity is for you – think about leaving your emotional baggage at home and go to meetings prepared to hear new ideas that might move you out of your comfort zone.

You’ll be a bigger and better person if you can do that – and the city will have the benefit of a public that has some skin in the game.

Terms vary from one to four years, with monthly meetings. Volunteering on one of our local boards or citizen committees is a great opportunity to meet new people, share your talents, and develop your skills while addressing a common interest.

The city also appoints people to various boards and agencies.  Several of these are reserved for members of Council.  If you’re interested – check into the city’s web site and look over the forms – and if you’re still interested – look up the names of the people who currently serve on an advisory committee and have a chat with them.  That won’t be easy because the city doesn’t make their addresses or telephone numbers available (they call that protecting a person’s privacy – if you want to be private then don’t get involved in public matters is our view on this)

Each of the Advisory Committees reports to a committee of city council and reports to them at least annually.  The more active advisory committees are in close to continued communication with the city.

It can be fun, it can be exciting and it can also be very exasperating.  But if you want to make a difference – this is as good a place as any to start.  If you do decide you want to try this – leave your ego at home.

Still interested?  Here’s where you start.


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