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POLICY GOV-BOA-077
Compass Kitchener - Terms of Reference Category
GOV -
Governance
Sub-category
BOA - Board &
Committee
Approval Type
COUNCIL
Department/Division
Chief Administrator’s
Office /
Administration
Author and Position
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Date Approved
March 31, 2003
Last
Reviewed/Amended
June 23, 2025
Next Review Date
June 1, 2030
Related Policies or Procedures
1. Policy Purpose
Compass Kitchener provides advice to Council on Guiding Principles, Values, and Strategic
Priorities on a regular basis, with the community’s input and participation. This Committee
creates and leads public engagement processes with staff to determine community concerns.
It identifies community priorities for action, and to monitors p rogress toward achieving the
community vision and in implementing the Strategic Plan. The community priorities comprise
an integral component of the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan.
Compass Kitchener serves as a liaison between the City of Kitchener and residents, providing
advice to Council on the community’s vision and priorities during the development of the city’s
strategic plan. The committee also delivers an annual report to Cou ncil evaluating the
implementation of the strategic plan with advice and recommendations.
2. Definitions
None.
3. Policy Scope
Application
☐ Employees (Indicate below which categories apply: All employees, Permanent full-time, Temporary full-time, Continuous part-
time, Casual, Probationary, Student, Management, Non-union)
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☐ Unions (Indicate below which categories apply: All Unions, CUPE 68 Civic, CUPE 68 Mechanics, CUPE 791, IATSE, IBEW, KPFFA)
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☐ Council
☐ Specified Positions: Click or tap here to enter text.
☒ Other: Local Boards and Advisory Committees
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4. Policy Content
4.1 Goals
(a) To identify and evaluate community values, and goals and priorities in, and
with, the community.
(b) To e provide advice and recommendations to Council on strategic priorities.
(c) To evaluate and report on progress and implementation of the strategic plan
to Council and the community.
(d) To ensure communication and collaboration among Advisory Committees of
Council.
4.2 Specific Duties
(a) To attend and actively participate in Compass Kitchener meetings.
(b) To assist city staff in designing implementing and facilitating community
engagement processes prior to each municipal election that identify and
validate the community’s vision and strategic priorities contributing to the
development of the city’s strategic plan.
(c) To develop an evaluation framework in collaboration with city staff for the
purpose of evaluating the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
(d) To prepare and present regular report cards to Council and the community on
Compass Kitchener’s assessment of strategic plan implementation.
(e) To convene two yearly all advisory committee meetings for the purpose of
information sharing and identifying opportunities for collaboration, one for
Chairs and Vice Chairs and the second for all Committees’ full membership.
4.3 Committee Composition, Reporting and Decision Making
(a) The Compass Kitchener Committee will be composed of no less than 8 and no
more than 12 community members, supported by City of Kitchener staff. It is
desired that the Committee have diverse representation reflective of the current
community context and the City's demographic make-up as follows:
I. All Council (Ex Officio), and
II. 8-12 community members representing the diversity of the City of
Kitchener
(b) Normally, appointments will be made through Council's annual appointment
meeting in November of each year.
(c) Members will serve for a period of 2 years, up to a maximum of 8 years.
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(d) The Committee shall choose a Chair and Vice -Chair at the beginning of each
new term, which commences in January every two years.
(e) Meetings will be held monthly or at the call of the Chair.
(f) The Committee shall report directly to Council.
(g) The Committee strives to make decisions through consensus. If consensus
cannot be reached, the decision will be made by vote and a simple majority is
required.
5. Results of Review
☐ No Edits Required
☐ Housekeeping Edits
☒ Substantial Edits
☐ Repeal/Replace
6. Policy History
Administrative and Housekeeping Changes
Date Nature of Change
2016-06 Policy I-77 template re-formatted to new numbering system and given
number GOV-BOA-077.
2018-04-03 Department name change due to corporate re-organization.
Substantial Changes
Date Council/CLT Directive
2006-12-04 As per Council directive
2009-08-24 As per Council directive
2018-08-27 As per Council directive
2025-06-23 As per Council directive.