Boston Region MPO Community Advisory Council Membership Application |
What is the Boston Region MPO Community Advisory Council?
The Community Advisory Council provides a forum for members of the public, representatives of advocacy, interest, professional, and community-based organizations, municipalities, and government agencies to participate in and advise the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) work. The MPO is the organization responsible for allocating funding to local transportation projects and planning for the future of the Boston region’s transportation system. Membership in the Community Advisory Council provides you
The Community Advisory Council provides a forum for members of the public, representatives of advocacy, interest, professional, and community-based organizations, municipalities, and government agencies to participate in and advise the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) work. The MPO is the organization responsible for allocating funding to local transportation projects and planning for the future of the Boston region’s transportation system. Membership in the Community Advisory Council provides you
- a direct voice in MPO planning and policy decision-making via the Community Advisory Council’s voting seat on the MPO board and committees;
- continuous communication with MPO staff developing programs and projects, including timely opportunities to provide input and participate in decision-making;
- opportunities for education and discussion about MPO work and regional transportation issues; and
- opportunities to network and build relationships with transportation decision-makers, professionals, practitioners, advocates, and other stakeholders.
The Community Advisory Council’s mission is to create space for knowledge-building and productive discussions about regional transportation issues and to advise the MPO board and staff on planning and policy decisions. The intent is to ensure the board and staff are responsive to public priorities and needs and consistent with the MPO’s long-range vision and goals. You can find more information about the Community Advisory Council at bostonmpo.org/advisory-council.
The Community Advisory Council will hold approximately 10 to 12 meetings per year. Meetings will be held virtually on Zoom. There will be other opportunities for optional in-person gatherings and field trips. The estimated time commitment for Community Advisory Council members will be approximately 3 hours per month. The roles and responsibilities of the members are as follows:
The Community Advisory Council will hold approximately 10 to 12 meetings per year. Meetings will be held virtually on Zoom. There will be other opportunities for optional in-person gatherings and field trips. The estimated time commitment for Community Advisory Council members will be approximately 3 hours per month. The roles and responsibilities of the members are as follows:
- Attending and participating in Community Advisory Council meetings, including preparing for and following up on meeting discussions
- Representing the entity with which the member is affiliated (or their community’s interest, for unaffiliated community advocates and general public members) in the Community Advisory Council’s discussions and decisions
- Representing the Community Advisory Council at MPO meetings and events and sharing information about the Community Advisory Council and the MPO with their organizations, communities, and networks
Why an Application?
The Boston Region MPO is committed to supporting a robust and empowered Community Advisory Council with broad representation from the region, encompassing a variety of perspectives and fostering equitable and impactful engagement in the transportation planning process. To ensure that membership includes a diverse range of voices and elevates groups and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning and decision-making process, the MPO has developed a brief application for the Community Advisory Council.
The Boston Region MPO is committed to supporting a robust and empowered Community Advisory Council with broad representation from the region, encompassing a variety of perspectives and fostering equitable and impactful engagement in the transportation planning process. To ensure that membership includes a diverse range of voices and elevates groups and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning and decision-making process, the MPO has developed a brief application for the Community Advisory Council.
Selected applicants will have the opportunity to serve a two-year term. There are no formal term limits, but the end of each term provides an opportunity for members to evaluate their participation in the Community Advisory Council and discuss any suggested improvements with staff. Members representing community-based and advocacy organizations, municipalities, and other organized entities will hold organizational seats, and the member entity can designate up to two designees (one primary and one alternate representative). Community-based and nongovernmental organization members will receive a stipend for their participation. Unaffiliated members of the public will also be compensated for their participation.
Applicants who are not selected to join the Community Advisory Council as official members are still welcome and encouraged to attend Community Advisory Council meetings and events, participate in discussions, share feedback and ideas, and engage and collaborate with MPO staff on MPO work programs and projects.