Boards and Commissions: General Information

Commissioners' Manual  |  General Info  |  Applications  |  Roster & Vacancies  |  Training Workshop

Dear Citizen,

The City Council appreciates your interest in serving your community through participation on a City of Berkeley Board, Commission, or Committee.

The City of Berkeley has over forty Boards and Commissions on which more than 350 citizens serve as members.  Membership changes frequently and citizens are encouraged to check with the Office of the City Clerk for the most current information regarding vacancies.  Citizens may submit an application for any commission for consideration at any time.

General information on the role of each commission, when and where meetings are held, and contact information for the staff secretary may be found by selecting a name from the Boards & Commissions page.  Meeting times and locations are subject to change.  Please check with the secretary to confirm a particular meeting date or location.  Also included are agendas and minutes for scheduled meetings and public hearings. 

With the exception of a few commissions, each Councilmember makes one appointment to a commission.  The Council, as a whole, makes appointments to the Board of Library Trustees,  Human Welfare and Community Action Commission, and Mental Health Commission upon recommendation of these bodies.  Appointments to the Peace and Justice Commission and Youth Commission are made by both Councilmembers and Directors of the Board of Education.

With few exceptions, commissioners must reside in Berkeley.  Certain commissions may require specific experience in a technical field or have other criteria.  Commissioners are required to take an oath of office and attend meetings on a regular basis.  Most commission members are required to file a Statement of Economic Interests upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office.

Anyone interested in being appointed to a commission should complete the appropriate application form, indicating the commission preference, and return the form to the City Clerk.  Applications will be forwarded to Councilmembers, and, when appropriate, to School Directors for their review.  Councilmembers will initiate interviews as needs arise and vacancies occur.  A Commission Roster listing the names and addresses of all current commissioners and any vacancies is available from the City Clerk Department.

There are several types of applications: (Presented in interactive PDF*; applications will open in a new browser window.)

1. General Application (PDF, 51 KB) -  to be used for most commissions - indicate preference

2. Mental Health Commission Application (PDF, 39 KB) - indicate special category

3. Community Health Commission Application (PDF, 41 KB) - indicate special category

4. Fair Campaign Practices Commission Application (PDF, 45 KB) - indicate if criteria and restrictions are met

5. Board of Library Trustees Application (PDF, 263 KB) - includes supplemental questionnaire and information sheet

The City Clerk Department provides all commissioners with a Commissioners' Manual and hosts workshops to assist you in understanding and performing your valuable role.  Please do not hesitate to contact me at (510) 981-6900 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

City Clerk

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