Opportunity to Serve Your Community
We welcome residents with all different types of experience and knowledge and seek diverse members to represent our community. Your experience living in Takoma Park and interacting with our community on a daily basis and/or working in your chosen profession can give you what you need to be a part of a board or committee.
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed by City Council prior to the expiration of a term and midyear to fill unexpected vacancies. The Council may either consider reappointment of an individual to an additional term or appoint a new applicant.
See the list of Board, Committee, and Commission vacancies.
Below you will find information on the role, responsibility, commitment, and compensation of a board, committee, and commission member.
APPLICATION: Board, Committee, and Commission Application (Fillable PDF).
Role and Responsibility
Members of City boards and committees are appointed by and report to the City Council and focus on a particular priority area. These groups can:
- Leverage residents’ technical expertise and lived experiences to inform City policies and programs;
- Establish good working relationships with other members;
- Provide tangible recommendations or help fulfill City regulatory functions;
- Ensure that the Council has regular and timely information to use when needed;
- Create an opportunity to engage residents on issues that are important to them, as well as assist in community education and outreach; and
- Pledge to uphold and comply with code of conduct so that the public can continue to have full confidence in the integrity of local government.
City Staff Liaison:
- Provide support to the boards, committees, commissions under the guidance of the City Clerk’s office.
Commitment
You can expect to attend 1-2 meetings per month of around 1-2 hours. Meetings are held on weeknights at the community center (via Zoom, due to pandemic). Regular attendance is essential to the effective operation of a board, committee, and commission.
Compensation
Board, committee, and commission members will receive $40 for each meeting attended. Youth member in school may receive SSL hours instead of the stipend.
Orientation and Training
After the appointment, all board and committee members will attend an orientation and training session.
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are welcome to apply. If you need an accommodation, please contact Jessie Carpenter, City Clerk, at 301-891-7267 or jessiec@takomaparkmd.gov.
Open Meetings
All meetings of the City Council and Council-appointed boards, committees, commissions, and task-forces are open to the public unless noted otherwise. All are subject to the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
Which Board, Committee, or Commission is right for me?
Please visit the City’s board, committee, and commission page for an overview of each board, committee, and commission. Individuals are invited to view a meeting to make sure the board, committee, or commission is the right fir for you. Meetings schedules and locations (zoom links) can be found on the City’s meeting calendar.
APPLICATION: Board, Committee, Commission Online Application Link
