Want to make a difference in your community? Always wanted to work for free? Enjoy taking flack from ill-informed neighbors? Now's your chance!

The city of Charlotte has announced vacancies for a long list of board and commission positions, most vacant due to resignations and members who failed to attend meetings.

Here are the deets:

Interested in helping to SHAPE YOUR COMMUNITY?
Several vacancies exist on the following boards and commissions to which Charlotte City Council makes appointments. These are volunteer positions on a wide variety of boards with differing time commitments. All applicants must be registered to vote in Mecklenburg County.

VACANCIES

On Monday, February 13, 2012, City Council will make nominations to fill vacant positions or make reappointments on the following boards:

BICYCLE ADVISORY BOARD
One appointment for an unexpired term beginning immediately and ending December 31, 2012. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 4th Tuesday at 6:00 pm. Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
One appointment for an applicant recommended by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce for an unexpired term beginning immediately and ending April 28, 2014. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 3rd Friday at 8:00 am. Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

CHARLOTTE HOUSING AUTHORITY
One appointment for an unexpired term for a resident of public housing beginning immediately and ending December 17, 2012. Time commitment: 3 hours/month. Meets 3rd Tuesday, 5:00 pm, 1301 South Blvd.

CHARLOTTE INTERNATIONAL CABINET
Three appointments for unexpired terms beginning immediately with one expiring June 30, 2012 and two expiring June 30, 2013. Two of these vacancies are general and one must be a representative of the education community. Time commitment: 5-6 hours/month. Meets every other month on 1st Thursday, 7:30 am, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG COALITION FOR HOUSING
Two appointments for unexpired terms beginning immediately with one ending June 30, 2013 and one ending June 30, 2014. One vacancy is in the category of donor/philanthropic and one is in the category of financial services. Time commitment: 4-6 hours/month. Meets every other month on 4th Thursday at 11:30 am, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
One appointment for an unexpired term for a representative of a non-profit organization beginning immediately and ending October 31, 2012. Time commitment: 2 hours/month. Meets 3rd Thursday, 12:00 pm, Charlotte Chamber, 330 S. Tryon St.

CMUD ADVISORY COMMITTEE
One appointment for a representative of small towns for an unexpired term beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2012 and then continuing for a full three year term ending June 30, 2015. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 3rd Thursday, 3:30 pm, 4222 Westmont Dr.

CITIZENS’ REVIEW BOARD
One appointment for an unexpired term beginning immediately and ending July 31, 2012. Appointees must be graduates of the CMPD Citizens’ Academy. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday as needed, 4:00 pm, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
One appointment for an unexpired term beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2013. Joe Cooper has resigned. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 3rd Tuesday, 4:00 pm, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E. Morehead St.

HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
One appointment for an unexpired term for a resident of Wesley Heights beginning immediately and ending June 30, 2013. Time Commitment: 10 hours/month. Meets 2nd Wednesday, 3:00 pm, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

KEEP CHARLOTTE BEAUTIFUL
Two appointments for unexpired terms beginning immediately with one ending June 30, 2012 and one ending June 30, 2014. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 1st Tuesday, 11:00 am, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING GRANTS FUND REVIEW TEAM
One appointment for an unexpired term for a business representative beginning immediately and ending April 15, 2012, and then continuing for a full two year term expiring April 15, 2014. Time Commitment: 14 hours/year. Meets Quarterly, 12:00 pm, Old City Hall, 600 E. Trade St.

PASSENGER VEHICLE FOR HIRE BOARD
One appointment for an unexpired term for a representative of the hospitality and tourism industry beginning immediately and ending July 1, 2012. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours/month. Meets 1st Tuesday, 1:00 pm, 4150 Wilkinson Blvd.

TREE ADVISORY COMMISSION
One appointment for a three year term beginning immediately and ending December 13, 2014. Time commitment: 3-15 hours/month. Meets 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm, Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St.

All applicants must be registered voters in Mecklenburg County. Appointees serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. Applications are kept on file for one year.

Contact Jeanne Peek at 704-336-7494 or jpeek@charlottenc.gov for more information.

Applications available at 704-336-7494, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or online at charmeck.org.

All applications must be completed with signature and returned to the City Clerk's Office by Friday, February 3, 2012, 5:00 PM.