Volunteer Opportunities – Cambridge Boards & Commissions
Member Sought to Fill Vacancy on Cambridge Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
Dec 10, 2024 – The Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) was established in 1935. It provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance. More than 10,000 low-income families, elders, and disabled individuals receive this assistance. CHA invests in Cambridge families and provides enhanced support to 10% of the city population. The CHA mission is to develop and manage safe, good quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families in a manner which promotes citizenship, community and self-reliance in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Learn more about Cambridge Housing Authority.
The Board of Commissioners is a five-member Board with each member serving five years. One member is appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts; the remaining four members are appointed by the Cambridge City Manager and confirmed by the Cambridge City Council. All Board members must be residents of Cambridge, and one member must physically reside in CHA/affiliate owned housing. Currently, the city is seeking to fill the seat held by a resident of CHA/affiliate owned housing.
The CHA Board oversees the Agency’s direction. This includes approving:
- Contract awards
- Budget decisions
- Formal submissions to state and federal funding agencies
- Planning and reporting documents
- Major policy decisions
Commissioners also serve as board members on CHA’s five non-profit affiliates. The Board appoints an Executive Director to oversee the housing authority and implement the Board’s policies.
For this vacant seat, applicants must be residents of CHA/affiliate-owned housing. Cambridge Housing Authority commissioners should believe in the mission of the Housing Authority and the urgent need for affordable housing in Cambridge. Preferred skills include:
- Computer literacy to participate in hybrid meetings
- Ability to interact with the public
- Advocacy skills
Applications to serve on the Board can be submitted using the City of Cambridge’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience may be submitted during the online application process.
The application deadline is Monday, January 27, 2025.
Cambridge Climate Committee Vacancy
Nov 25, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking people interested in serving on the Cambridge Climate Committee.
What is the Climate Committee?
The Climate Committee is a volunteer group of community members who work together to provide feedback and ideas to the City on topics related to climate change. It was formerly known as the Climate Protection Action Committee. The Committee is made up of 15 to 20 members who are appointed by the City Manager. Five seats are currently open to applicants. Regular members generally serve a 2-year term starting in February 2025.
What is the role of the Climate Committee?
The Climate Committee has three roles that help the City reduce climate change impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase equity, and serve as a partner to and example for other communities:
- Provide feedback and ideas to the City on ways to reduce and live with climate change while prioritizing the needs of the most at-risk populations.
- Share information about City climate programs with community members, listen to community concerns, and raise feedback with City staff so programs effectively serve all community members.
- Stay informed about the City’s climate goals and provide accountability and feedback on barriers and opportunities to improve effectiveness.
Who can apply to join the Climate Committee?
All Climate Committee members must live or work in Cambridge. There is no age requirement. There is no requirement for a technical background to serve on the Committee; members should be interested in and understand climate change through lived or work experience. Members will have deep connections to communities in Cambridge, especially those most impacted by climate change, so that the Committee can represent the diversity of the City.
What kind of skills and abilities do you need to effectively serve on the Climate Committee?
Members of the Climate Committee should be able to:
- Participate in a collaborative process with other Committee members;
- Consider diverse ideas and perspectives;
- Show connections to the broader community;
- Be interested in learning more about the impacts of climate change;
- Actively contribute to meetings in dialogue with City staff and other community members;
- Members do not need to have technical knowledge or knowledge of the City’s plans, but should be open to learning more about these and sharing with their communities.
How much of a time commitment is the Climate Committee?
The Climate Committee currently meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6-8pm, at the Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway. This schedule may be changed to accommodate Committee needs and member schedules. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and should expect to spend an average of 1-2 hours each month outside of meeting time on activities such as:
- Sharing information and opportunities for engagement on City climate initiatives with their communities;
- Collecting feedback on initiatives or programs to share back with the Committee planning events reviewing programs/projects.
How can I apply?
Individuals interested in being considered should apply using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Cambridge Climate Committee” in the list of Current Vacancies. A resume and cover letter describing why you want to join the committee, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process, but is not required. For more information on the application process, please contact boards@cambridgema.gov.
The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, January 13, 2025.
Members Sought for Three Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation Districts – deadline extended to Mon, Jan 27, 2024
Nov 18, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members on the following Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commissions: Mid-Cambridge, Avon Hill, and Half Crown-Marsh.
Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by city ordinance in 1983. Conservation district designation recognizes a distinctive physical environment that reflects the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city. NCDs foster wider public knowledge and appreciation of such neighborhoods. Designation encourages the conservation and maintenance of these areas so that the city may be a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.
Each NCD commission includes seven members and three alternates. Appointments to these Commissions are made by the City Manager, with approval by the Cambridge City Council. Most members must reside in the respective district; renters, property owners and business operators are encouraged to apply. More information and maps of each NCD are available through the following links:
Avon Hill NCD, Cambridgema.gov/avonhillncd
Half Crown-Marsh NCD, Cambridgema.gov/halfcrownmarshncd
Mid-Cambridge NCD, Cambridgema.gov/midcambridgencd
The volunteer commissions meet monthly and are supported by the professional staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission. Applicants should have knowledge and concern for improvement, conservation, and enhancement of the district. The composition of each Commission shall represent the diversity of the designated neighborhood in terms of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and property ownership or tenancy.
Individuals interested in being considered should apply through the city’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply and select the respective commission. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to Mon, Jan 27, 2024
Members Sought for Cambridge Historical Commission – deadline extended to Mon, Jan 27, 2024
Nov 15, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members of the Cambridge Historical Commission.
What is the Role of the Cambridge Historical Commission?
The Cambridge Historical Commission, a citywide body of seven members and three alternates, establishes historic preservation policy for the city and administers two historic districts, the Harvard Square Conservation District, the citywide landmark and demolition ordinances, and the preservation grant program for rehabilitation assistance. View additional information, including past agendas and meeting minutes of the Cambridge Historical Commission
What Skills are Needed to serve on the Historical Commission?
Applicants should have an interest or experience in architecture and local history and be committed to protecting the historic resources and built environment of the City of Cambridge. Appointments to the Commission are made by the City Manager, and approved by the City Council. Members are supported by the professional staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission.
When does the Historical Commission Meet?
The Cambridge Historical Commission usually meets remotely via Zoom webinar on the first Thursday of the month at 6pm. Occasionally, a second meeting is scheduled if the Commission has unfinished business.
How to Apply?
Individuals interested in being considered should apply through the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to Mon, Jan 27, 2024
The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
There is a theme that has run through recent years in Cambridge City government, namely the belief that public input is a problem and that legislation and even proposed changes to the City Charter should reflect this point of view. Any disagreement is dismissed as NIMBYism. Public involvement in matters such as development proposals or roadway reconfigurations is inherently contrary to what the elite in City government see as the public good. We saw this in the various iterations of the Affordable Housing Overlay where not only is public feedback unwelcome, but even the Planning Board’s role has been reduced to that of spectators. It’s also baked into the latest “multi-family zoning” proposals where concerns about radical changes to existing neighborhoods have been either dismissed or at best marginally tolerated. I found it quite telling that in the current discussion about changes to the City Charter, all votes to consider ideas such as “resident assemblies” or “citizen initiative petitions” or “group petitions” were voted down either unanimously or nearly unanimously. The prevailing point of view seems to be that, once elected, our city councillors become all-knowing and all-seeing arbiters of the public good. Democracy is for suckers.
It seems like Deja Vu all over again. As I was grabbing links to past Sanctuary City resolutions, I stumbled upon my notes from the