Total public members: 30

Method of Appointment: Appointed by Mayor

Length of Appointment: 3 years

Residency: Strong preference for DC residents from all 8 wards

Paid board: No (all roles are voluntary)

Description

The Council shall advise the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Mayor's Director for Religious Affairs, and the Mayor's Cabinet, on various matters, especially and including those that affect the spiritual, faith and religious well-being of all the residents of the District of Columbia.

The functions of the Council shall include:

A. Serving as a liaison between the Mayor and the faith community;

B. Making recommendations on developing, expanding, or fostering public-private partnerships and linkages between the District and faith-related organizations using grant, District, federal, foundation, or private funding sources;

C. Advising on the methods of identifying and meeting social service needs within defined populations;

D. Serving as a forum from which members of the public can express comments and views on existing and planned proposals for faith community policies, programs, resources and activities;

E. Promoting spirituality, accountability and integrity among the faith and governmental leadership in the District;

F. Exchanging information and resources to promote the common good among the faith community;

G. Promoting respect, cooperation and tolerance between and among the religious communities and the general public in the District;

H. Offering public prayers of intercession for justice, healing and unity in the community;

I. Advocating on behalf of people who are poor and disenfranchised;

J. Advising the Mayor in creating and maintaining a spiritual perspective when setting goals and casting the vision for the District; and

K. Performing other functions as requested by the Mayor.

Qualifications

A. The Council shall be comprised of not more than 30 voting members, appointed by the Mayor.

B. The voting members appointed to the Council shall include a broad cross-section of the religious communities residing in the District, including ordained pastors, ministers, rabbis, imams, priests, consecrated bishops, and other leaders of faith.

C. Members of the Council shall be residents of the District, or shall represent a faith or religious institution or organization located in the District.

D. District residents shall constitute at least a simple majority ofthe members ofthe Council.

E. The Director for Religious Affairs shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Council, and as the liaison between the Mayor and the Council.