Volunteer Opportunities on City Boards, Committees and Commissions

The Yakima City Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on City of Yakima boards, committees, and commissions.

The Community Review Board and Community Integration Committee (youth) each have one available position.  The Board of Appeals and Henry Beauchamp Advisory Committee each currently have two available openings.  The Yakima Housing Authority has one term expiring in January 2021.

It is the responsibility of the City Council to make appointments to City boards, committees and commissions.

About the volunteer opportunities:

There is one youth position available on the Community Integration Committee, which is for a two-year term. Applicants must live within Yakima city limits and be between the ages of 16-22 at the time of appointment. Appointments shall be made to ensure varied community perspectives are represented and, to the extent possible, reflect current demographics of the City, including consideration of historically underrepresented communities. The purpose and intent of the Community Integration Committee is to advise the Yakima City Council on ways to improve community engagement; diversify the city government and workforce; provide additional review of policies, ordinances and resolutions if requested; and give a voice to all Yakima residents.

There is no residency requirement for members of the Community Review Board, but the positions must represent different aspects of the public as a whole. Currently there is one vacancy on the board for a representative of the healthcare community.

There are seven members on the Board of Appeals who serve 3-year terms. The board currently requires a mechanical contractor or a developer to fill one of its vacancies.

There are seven members of the Henry Beauchamp Community Center Advisory Board, all of whom serve 4-year terms and must live within Yakima city limits. Currently, there are two vacancies on this board, which holds quarterly meetings and makes recommendations to the center operator and the City regarding management policies, operations, maintenance, and capital improvement needs. The appointees are based upon the recommendation of the board of directors.

There is no residency requirement for service on the Yakima Housing Authority Board, but neither employees nor elected officials from the City of Yakima or Yakima County are eligible to apply.  The board has five members who serve 5-year terms.

Additional information on duties and responsibilities of each committee can be found at https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/.

Anyone interested in applying for openings can download an application from the City of Yakima website – https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/assets/Application-form-for-City-of-Yakima-Boards-and-Commissions.pdf

Contact City Clerk Sonya Claar Tee by phone, 575-6037, or e-mail, sonya.claartee@yakimawa.gov, for more about current or future openings on City of Yakima boards, committees, or commissions.