ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is currently seeking a range of qualified faith-based and public applicants for the new Interfaith Advisory Commission (IAC) announced in February 2026 and signed into law in April 2026. The minimum 16-member Commission will promote education and awareness and advise on best practices for the integration of traditions, bridging divides between diverse communities, encouraging dialogue, combatting extremism, and building trust. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 29, 2026.
The new Interfaith Advisory Commission will serve as an invaluable and ongoing resource to reduce religious conflict and promote peace in our community. This commission will formally incorporate the voice, leadership, and service of the faith community into the work of Howard County Government. We are looking for dedicated members who will help ensure all community members are served with compassion, justice, and care.
Under the terms of Council Bill 20-2026, the Commission consists of at least 16, but no more than 20 members, including:
- Ten to 12 members who represent a diverse variety of faiths and congregations, with no more than four members coming from the same faith community;
- At least two members from the general public, with consideration given to individuals who may have “lived experiences” tied to key issues including, without limitation, housing insecurity, disability, and immigration; and
- At least one student representative under the age of 19, who attends a high school or secondary school in Howard County and who shall serve a one-year term from July 1st to June 30th.
- Plus three ex-officio members from the Howard County Public School System, Howard Community College, and the Howard County Library System.
With quarterly meetings, the Commission is tasked with:
- Acting as a bridge between the County and faith communities by identifying opportunities for collaboration, communication, and shared problem solving on issues of public concern;
- Providing guidance on how faith communities can help expand access and increase accessibility to County services and supports for residents experiencing vulnerability, including, without limitation, housing instability, food insecurity, health disparities, disability, and economic hardship;
- Recommending inclusive, culturally responsive practices that help County agencies and public-serving institutions better engage diverse religious and belief communities; and
- Encouraging education, dialogue, and public awareness that celebrate religious diversity, counter misinformation and fear, and strengthen social cohesion across communities.
To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must be a Howard County resident, 18 years of age or older (except for the student member), and be able to participate in the Board’s quarterly meetings. Interested candidates should complete an application online by visiting www.howardcountymd.gov/applybc and selecting “Interfaith Advisory Commission” in the form. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for consideration. If approved, the appointment will be forwarded to the County Council for confirmation.
To learn more about the IAC, visit the Interfaith Advisory Commission webpage.
Origins of the Commission
In 2024, Ball created the County’s first-ever Interfaith Advisory Council to help combat hate around Howard County, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The 16-member council was tasked with providing recommendations on best practices to address religious intolerance in the county, as well as social and community issues, and assist at-risk populations who are suffering from homelessness, addiction, mental illness, domestic violence, food insecurity and poverty.
In its final report, the IAC expressed the need for continued work to address issues of intolerance facing faith communities and to further coordinate services to address the needs of at-risk populations in Howard County. The establishment of the Interfaith Advisory Commission will allow for that. In addition, the new Commission will look towards collaborating and coordinating on shared social issues addressed in the Council’s Plan, including: health and wellness; economic development; education; workforce; environmental stewardship; veterans; older adults; food insecurity; crime and policing; transportation; and youth engagement.