Apply for the City of Bend Community Advisory Bodies
From:
Jacob Larsen, Community Relations Manager
541-647-0696,
jlarsen@bendoregon.gov
Apply for the City of Bend Community Advisory Bodies
Community committees, boards and commissions are a great way to get involved
with local government. The City has several Council-appointed advisory groups
that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff.
Applications are being accepted for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee,
Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, City of Bend Accessibility Advisory
Committee and the Human Rights & Equity Commission.
Advisory body members are eligible for a stipend ($40/meeting, not to exceed
$500/year) to help lower barriers to participation (see information below).
Applications are due on April 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Visit bendoregon.gov/committees to
learn more and to apply.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) provides policy, code and
funding recommendations to the City Council in alignment with the goals
outlined in the City’s Consolidated
Plan.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee is currently recruiting one member who
is a real estate professional. All committee members must demonstrate an
interest in meeting the needs of very low-, low-, and moderate-income
populations in Bend. For more information, visit the Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee
webpage.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee is seeking applicants to fill one
vacancy; terms are three years.
Contact: Racheal Baker, Affordable Housing Manager, 541-323-8550 or
rbaker@bendoregon.gov.
Bend Economic Development Advisory Board
The Bend Economic Development Advisory Board (BEDAB) provides input to the
Bend City Council on economic development and business issues and initiatives.
The board seeks to provide broad representation from local key industries.
Members work closely with the City’s economic development partners, including
the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development for Central Oregon, Visit Bend,
Oregon State University- Cascades, St. Charles Health System, East Cascades
Works and the Small Business Development Center at Central Oregon Community
College. For more information, visit the Bend Economic Development Advisory
Board webpage.
Bend Economic Development Advisory Board is seeking applicants to fill one
vacancy for a partial term ending January 1, 2029. Members appointed to
partial terms may seek reappointment for up to two consecutive three-year
terms, not including any partial terms. Bend Economic Development Advisory
Board is also seeking applicants to fill alternate positions, which are
intended to be ready to fill a vacancy on the board.
Contact: Cyrus Mooney, Business Advocate,541-385-6680 or
cmooney@bendoregon.gov.
City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee
The City of Bend’s Accessibility Advisory Committee’s (COBAAC) purpose is to
assist and advise the City on the most efficient and responsible means by
which to make its programs, services, activities and facilities accessible to
all of Bend’s residents and visitors. COBAAC is a City Manager-appointed
Committee.
For more information, visit the City of Bend’s Accessibility Advisory
Committee webpage.
City of Bend’s Accessibility Advisory Committee is seeking applicants to fill
one vacancy; terms are three years. Additionally, City of Bend’s Accessibility
Advisory Committee is seeking applicants to fill alternate positions, which
are intended to be ready to fill a vacancy on the board, and last one year.
Contact: Cassandra Kehoe, Accessibility & Equity Manager, 541-693-2141 or
ckehoe@bendoregon.gov .
Human Rights & Equity Commission
The primary goal of the City of Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission (HREC)
is to advise the City Council on policies and practices that impact equity,
human rights and inclusion within the community. The Commission works to
identify barriers to equity and to recommend strategies for dismantling those
barriers. The Human Rights and Equity Commission strives to create systemic
change that benefits the entire community by centering on the voices of those
most impacted by inequity. For more information, visit the Human Rights and
Equity Commission
webpage.
The Human Rights and Equity Commission is seeking applicants to fill two
vacancies: both for partial terms ending January 1, 2028. Members appointed to
partial terms may seek reappointment for up to two consecutive four-year
terms, not including any partial terms. HREC is also seeking applicants to
fill alternate positions, which are intended to be ready to fill a vacancy on
the board.
Contact: Mellissa Kamanya, Affordable Housing Coordinator, 541-382-5615, or
mkamanya@bendoregon.gov.
Stipends
The City of Bend offers a stipend program for City advisory board, committee
and commission voting members who choose to participate. The intent is to
expand opportunities for community members to connect with the City and lower
barriers to engagement. The program will provide members of City advisory
boards, committees and commissions with a stipend of $40 per meeting, not to
exceed $500 per person annually. This stipend covers assumed costs of
volunteering on an advisory group such as travel, parking, stable internet
connection and other expenses. Please note that non-voting members, alternate
members, and Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization Budget Committee members
are not eligible for the stipend. View the Advisory Body Stipend Program
Policy
* for additional information.
*Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities & Language Assistance
Services