History and Goals

Origins: Citizens Advisory Groups were established following a Federal initiative in the early 1970’s to provide better representation and input between city government and citizens.

The Raleigh Citizens Advisory Councils (CACs) began as funds were appropriated in 1973 and board members installed in each of the Community CACs in February 1974.  The majority of the preliminary work to form the CACs was prepared by city staffers Lawrence Wray and W. R. Breazeale in 1972.

The CACs are the only advisory bodies of the City Council whose membership is strictly voluntary.

Neighborhood Recognition: Since 1977 the Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council (RCAC) sponsors awards to recognize significant efforts by residents and groups who have worked to enhance their neighborhoods. The awards are designed to acknowledge those unsung citizens who work without thought of praise or reward to make our communities better at the grassroots level and in so doing, elevate the quality of our lives and of our city.

Goals of CACs include:

* Improving the quality and safety of Raleigh neighborhoods;
* Working with the City planning authorities to achieve sustainable growth;
* Building pride in local communities;
* Uniting neighbors;
* Providing a forum for citizens and local government to communicate.

Structure of Raleigh CACs:

Throughout the 10 planning districts of Raleigh, there are 18 geographically located CACs. Every Raleigh resident is a voting member of one of those 18 CACs. Opportunities for participation also have been provided for citizens who live in Raleigh’s future growth areas, known as the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). They are members of one of 18 CACs and are eligible to attend CAC meetings.

Each CAC elects a Chairperson and other officers from among participating residents of each CAC district.

The RCAC (Raleigh Citizen’s Advisory Council) is the overall body made up of the officers of each of the 18 CACs. The RCAC functions under established bylaws that also govern the individual CAC’s (unless a CAC has elected to create its own coordinating bylaws).