Wheatland County searching for next CERB board members

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County is looking for residents interested in helping decide how funding can support community projects across the region.

The county is currently seeking volunteers to fill openings on its Community Enhancement Regional Board (CERB), a 14-member board that reviews funding applications from nonprofit organizations and makes recommendations to Wheatland County council.

Dave Rimes with Wheatland County said the program dates back to 2012 and was designed to give residents a direct voice in decisions surrounding community funding.

“The county council was going to set aside a fund for community projects, basically,” said Rimes. “They wanted to set it up so that it had input from the community.”

The board was structured to include two volunteer representatives from each of Wheatland County’s seven electoral divisions.

“The board then reviews all the applications for the CERB program and makes recommendations to council, so it’s a very grassroots board,” said Rimes. 

Most of the board’s current members are staying on as active members though Rimes said there are a couple of openings the county is hoping to fill. Members are generally appointed for a two-year terms, and some volunteers have remained involved since the program began.

“We have a couple board members that have been on there for a long time,” he said. “They enjoy the process, going through all the applications and making those recommendations, and they feel like they make a difference in their community, which they do. They’re supporting community projects.”

CERB funding is not limited to organizations located strictly within Wheatland County. Nonprofit organizations throughout the area may be eligible, including those in Strathmore and area villages.

Rimes pointed to the recent Cairnhill ball diamond as an example of a larger project supported this year.

Applications are reviewed by CERB members and considered on their merits before recommendations are forwarded to council.

For organizations wondering whether a project may qualify, Rimes encouraged them to review the program guidelines available through Wheatland County’s website. He added that prospective applicants can contact him with questions.

“If you’re not 100 per cent sure, submit an application. The worst thing is no,” he said. “Maybe you will be eligible. The guidelines are all there but if there’s any questions, (reach out).” 

The commitment for residents interested in joining the board is relatively modest. Rimes said CERB generally holds two evening meetings during March and April, when members work through the year’s applications.

He estimated the total annual commitment at approximately 20 volunteer hours when preparation and reviewing applications are included.

Board members generally receive the applications about a month before meeting, allowing them to review the material on their own schedule. There can still be a considerable amount to read with approximately 60 to 70 applications typically considered in a year.

While the number of hours may be limited, Rimes said having residents from across Wheatland County involved in the process is an important part of making CERB work.

“It’s not a huge time commitment and it is really impactful,” he said. “It really helps the program be successful, having that grassroots and really local input.”

Residents interested in serving on CERB can find information through Wheatland County’s website and submit a letter of interest to Rimes; he can also be reached by email with any questions (dave.rimes@wheatlandcounty.ca).

Nonprofit organizations interested in CERB funding can also consult the county’s program guidelines to learn more about eligibility and the application process online (wheatlandcounty.ca/documents/cerb).