Community Relations Commission

Purpose

The Community Relations Commission is to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations in a diverse, inclusive community. The Community Relations Commission is also to promote increased participation in all aspects of community life and a sense of shared community among all residents.

  1. Develop better relationships among all residents in a diverse and inclusive community of Wheaton.
  2. Encourage and recognize residents to be service-oriented in the opportunities to assist one another in the community and the neighborhood.
  3. Promote and support initiatives with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, commissions, businesses, schools, civic and religious organizations, neighborhood and community events aimed at increasing goodwill and civil engagement among the residents and the global community at large.
  4. Recognize and approve honors or awards for persons, firms, or entities that serve or advance understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations between and among residents.
  5. Identify for the city council programs or projects which will enhance relationships between the city government and its residents.
  6. Conduct and promote such educational and other programs as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the commission.
  7. Encourage communications and awareness between the people of this city and its sister cities. The commission shall also foster, encourage, and direct such further action as shall be necessary to develop activities and programs towards those ends.

Meetings

The Community Relations Commission generally meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall. All meetings are open to residents. You are welcome to attend, share your thoughts, or observe to see if you would like to apply for a position. For up-to-date information regarding all of the City’s Boards and Commissions meeting dates, times, and locations, please see the City Calendar.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

The commission consists of no fewer than 7 and no more than 13 members.

  • David Sohmer, Chair
  • Kathy Bushong, Vice Chair
  • Andrea Clayton
  • Michael Hodel
  • Sharon Holtrop
  • Tim March
  • Andrew McGady
  • Shauna Thorson

Current Vacant Positions: 0
Available Positions: up to 5

Wheaton Gives Back

The Wheaton Community Relations Commission provided opportunities for residents to make a difference in the community through its annual Wheaton Gives Back program, which included a winter gear drive throughout October 2025.

WGB Logo 2025

Wheaton Block Party

The Wheaton Block Party is a free family-friendly community-wide block party designed to foster connections among residents, businesses, public services and organizations, while celebrating Wheaton's past, present and future. 

Wheaton BLock Party Logo 2

Good Citizens AwardGood Citizens Awards

The annual Good Citizens Awards help recognize those who make the generous and often extraordinary contributions that make Wheaton an outstanding community. This may be volunteer service for a school, church, nursing home, civic group or nonprofit organization.

Read about the 2025 Good Citizens Awards recipients.

Sister Cities

The Community Relations Commission encourages communication and cultural awareness between the people of Wheaton and its sister cities:

  • Karlskoga, Sweden
  • Wheaton Aston, England