Apply For 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