Help shape
Durham’s Future
The Destination Master Plan was created with input from over 2200 Durham residents, and community engagement is foundational in ensuring the ongoing work of Durham Next lives up to its vision to create a welcoming, inclusive, innovative and vibrant destination while honoring its history and people. Learn more about our commitment to community engagement.
The Durham Next Community Advisory Council (CAC) is an innovative new approach for ensuring a wide range of Durham voices have ongoing input into projects and initiatives Durham Next pursues. The Council is foundational to the organization’s guiding principles. The CAC will advise the Durham Next Board on how to harness collective benefit, engage Durham residents, reflect community values and ignite forward progress for projects that are already in motion, managed or supported by Durham Next.
The CAC members will be recruited to represent the diversity of constituencies, perspectives and interests across Durham, to be joined by candidates selected through an open application available below for interested individuals. At least 25 and up to 50 members serve on the Council for two-year renewable terms.
The formal application period has ended. Please check back for future opportunities.
Community Advisory Council Responsibilities
- Offer input, perspective, and insights on active Durham Next projects through quarterly meetings, online surveys and other tools
- Advise the Durham Next Board on community engagement participation for specific projects
- Offer insights into and strategies to address potential barriers to engagement to help uphold our pillars of community engagement
- Reflect on community engagement outcomes and strengthen future efforts
- Be an advocate for Durham Next within the community, building trust, transparency and accountability as well as fostering stronger connections and partnerships
Recruitment and Terms of Service
- CAC membership is a two-year term, which may be renewed for an additional term
- To maintain an engaged group shaping Durham's future, members are expected to attend meetings and be responsive to other communications
- Members must live in or have current community ties in Durham
- Those wishing to serve will be required to complete an online application and have regular access to online communications
- Members will be expected to abide by the Durham Next Volunteer Leadership Partnership Agreement standards (outlined in the application form)
- Durham Next values a CAC that reflects the community's diversity. Applicants are invited to voluntarily share demographic information, which will be a consideration for the selection process. While individual demographic information will remain confidential within the selection committee, aggregate Council demographic insights will be publicly shared.
2025
Community Advisory
Council
The CAC meets on a quarterly basis. View meeting notes below.
- March 2026 CAC Meeting Notes [UPCOMING]
- December 2025 CAC Meeting Notes
- August 2025 CAC Meeting Notes
