Volunteer Opportunities - Appointments To Advisory Committees

The City of Stratford is looking for a diverse range of volunteers to lend their unique voices and perspectives to the City’s advisory committees.  Community members serving on an advisory committee help guide the City’s decision making and provide advice and feedback to City Council in a variety of areas, including but not limited to the environment, accessibility, active transportation, heritage and safe communities.

Why serve on an advisory committee? Volunteering makes a difference in our community and is a great way to give back. It’s also an opportunity to help influence decision-making in your local government and be part of democracy in action. You will learn new skills, build your understanding of how municipal government works, and make connections with other passionate members of the Stratford community.

These opportunities are open to Stratford residents and eligible electors who are at least 18 years of age (with the exception of the Youth representatives who can be under 18 years). Additional qualifications may apply depending on the advisory committee you are interested in. Experienced and new members are encouraged to apply.

Please ensure you are available to attend meetings in person on the day and time listed in the description for each advisory committee or board.

If you are interested in volunteering on one of the City’s advisory committees listed below, please complete the application available on the City’s website at https://www.stratford.ca/en/inside-city-hall/advisorycommittees.aspx. The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025.

The application can also be printed from the website or picked up from the Clerk’s Office and returned through one of the following means:

Email: adviscom@stratford.ca

In-person or mail to:

The Corporation of the City of Stratford,
Attention City Clerk,
Clerk’s Office, Ground Floor, Stratford City Hall
P.O. Box 818,
Stratford, ON N5A 6W1

Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Date, Time and Location of Meetings: Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. in the Mansbridge Room at the Stratford Rotary Complex. Please ensure you are able to attend on this day and time.

Purpose: The purpose of the AAC is to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to full participation in the community. Commencing January 1, 2026 members of the AAC will be paid remuneration in the amount of $125.00 per Committee meeting attended and $50.00 per site plan review meeting attended.

Available Positions: Three (3) citizens positions and one (1) agency position are available for appointment for 2-year terms.

Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC)

Date, Time and Location of Meetings: Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Mansbridge Room at the Rotary Complex. Please ensure you are able to attend on this day and time.

Purpose: The purpose of the ATAC is to serve as a forum for the public to raise their viewpoints on particular active transportation issues and/or other findings and to bring these interests to the attention of the appropriate staff, departments or standing committees. The ATAC also acts to educate, promote and enhance active transportation in the City of Stratford.

Available Positions: There is one (1) citizen representative position and one (1) Avon Trail representative position available for 2-year terms.

Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee

Date, Time and Location of Meetings: Meets on the first Thursday of the month at 12:00 p.m. in the Mansbridge Room at the Rotary Complex. Please ensure you are able to attend on this day and time.

Purpose: This Committee:

• fosters civic pride, environmental protection and beautification, through community participation;
• improves the tidiness, appearance and visual appeal of neighbourhoods, parks, open spaces and streets;
• focuses on environmental awareness and preservation of heritage and culture;
• co-ordinates a host program as required.

Positions Available: There are three (3) citizen representative positions available for 2-year terms and one (1) citizen representative position available for a 1-year term.

Energy & Environment Advisory Committee

Date, Time and Location of Meetings: Meets on the first Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at Stratford City Hall. Please ensure you are able to attend on this day and time.

Purpose: This Committee provides advice to Council on matters relating to waste reduction initiatives, water and energy conservation and preservation of natural areas.

Positions Available: There are three (3) citizen representative positions, one (1) Climate Momentum representative position, and one (1) youth representative position available for 2-year terms and one (1) citizen representative position available for a 1-year term.

Heritage Stratford Advisory Committee

Date, Time, and Location of Meetings: Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Mansbridge Room at the Stratford Rotary Complex. Please ensure you are able to attend on this day and time.

Purpose: Heritage Stratford deals with matters relating to the promotion of architectural designing and conserving of heritage architecture and heritage designations. Commencing January 1, 2026 members of the Heritage Stratford Committee will be paid remuneration in the amount of $125.00 per Committee meeting attended and $50.00 per site plan and permit review meeting attended.

Positions Available: There are five (5) citizen representative positions and one (1) Huron Perth Builders Association representative position available for 2-year terms.

Stratfords of the World - Ontario Committee

Date, Time and Location of Meetings: Meets periodically throughout the year at the call of the Chair. Typically meetings are held between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the Mansbridge Room at the Rotary Complex.

Purpose: The mandate of this Committee is:

• to encourage community partnerships which provide additional opportunities;
• to assist with the recurring reunion program with other Stratfords every two years;
• to ensure that the annual Friendship Flower Bed is updated.

Positions Available: There are three (3) citizen representative positions available for 2-year terms.

Additional information regarding these advisory committees is available on the City’s website or upon request from the City Clerk’s Office, 519-271-0250, extension 5243.