Role of Advisory Working Groups
Advisory Working Groups are organized by staff members in order to communicate and/or solicit advice about a particular industry, event, challenge, or topic.
Advisory Working Group committee members will have the expertise, first-hand experience, and/or a keen interest in the team or topic focus. Advisory teams may meet on a regular basis or on an as-needed basis – at the discretion of the staff.
Advisory Working Groups are advisory to staff (who in turn are accountable to the Board through the ED). If staff have a project that they are working on they may activate a working group to provide them with advice. Staff accountability is to the Board, not to the advisory group. When Board members participate in advisory roles as volunteers, they do so outside their oversight role. The advice provided in working groups is given without the expectation that the ideas discussed will necessarily be implemented—that would be the ED’s call.
Advisory Working Group meetings are casual in nature. No minutes are taken and the meeting is run by the BIA staff representative.
Advisory Working Group members are welcome and encouraged to meet outside of advisory meetings to brainstorm, network, and support each other. They are also encouraged to present ideas to staff and can ask for an Advisory Working Group meeting to do so.
LIST OF ADVISORY WORKING GROUPS:
Development and Intensification
The Downtown Development Advisory Working Group is dedicated to developing our downtown responsibly and is responsible for all business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts. The Advisory Working Group is actively engaged in liaising with the real estate community and regional economic development agencies. Working Group members must be able to commit to one meeting every two months plus meetings arranged on an as-needed basis.
Clean, Vibrant & Beautiful
The Clean, Vibrant & Beautiful Advisory Working Group is dedicated to beautifying our downtown and keeping it safe. Included in this Committee’s mandate is the downtown flower program, street decorations, banner program, and downtown maintenance (including street sweeping, snow removal, power-washing, etc.).
Marketing
The Marketing Task Force is an Advisory Working Group that works with staff to advise on issues with respect to the marketing of the Downtown Kingston experience, overall marketing priorities, and direction of Marketing.
Member Services
The Member Services Advisory Working Group is dedicated to engaging the membership. This Advisory Working Group oversees the Annual General Meeting, the awards program, as well as member promotions such as the Downtown Kingston Map & Directory, Holiday/Night Hours, member communications, and special membership meetings.
Vulnerable Sector
Purpose TBD
INDUSTRY ADVISORY WORKING GROUP
Industry Advisory Working Groups act in an advisory role for the BIA staff to better understand the unique needs of each industry. Topics of discussion will be varied. Meetings will be very casual and scheduled as needed.
- Food & Beverage
- Arts, Entertainment & Experience
- Accommodation
- Service-based
- Retail
- Professional/Office
DISTRICT ADVISORY WORKING GROUP
District Advisory Working Groups act in an advisory role for the BIA staff to better understand the unique needs of various geographic areas within the BIA. If your geographic area would like to form a District Advisory Working Group, please contact marijo@downtownkingston.ca . Topics of discussion will be varied. Meetings will be very casual and scheduled as needed.
- Brock St.
