(Note: These minutes were provided by David Levin)
Minutes of the
NC BYLAWS REFORM GROUP
Saturday, January 23, 2010
at Barrio Action Youth and Family Center, 4927 Huntington Dr., LA 90032
The following handouts were available:
“Before We Begin . . .”
“Plan for a Citywide System of [NCs]”
“Los Angeles City Charter: Article IX, [DONE], Sec. 906. Certification of [NCs].”
“Bylaws `Wireframe’ and Questions”
1. Call to order
The Meeting was called to order by Bob Gelfand at 10:14 a.m.
2. Self introductions
The 19 attendees introduced themselves (several later as they arrived).
3. Election of Meeting Chair
MOTION (moved and seconded): for Bob Gelfand to be the Bylaws Reform Group Meetings Chair.
MOTION PASSED without any objections.
4. Discussion and acceptance of the Agenda
Mr. Gelfand requested and it was agreed to accept the Agenda as is.
BONC Commissioner John Kim explained and Mr. Gelfand elaborated the purpose of the Group’s Meetings. BONC Commissioner Al Abrams stated that “Grievance processes are missing from this system . . . [we can] start with the Bylaws.” Various Stakeholders expressed views regarding the need and focus of Bylaws and its components, whether voluntary or mandatory.
5. Discussion of topics for future meetings
[This Agenda Item was addressed after Item #2.] Doug Epperhart explained that the Group’s second Meeting will discuss “best practice Bylaws”; the third Meeting will discuss Grievances; and the fourth Meeting “will set up a Bylaws Resources Team.”
6. Discussion of Bylaw basics: principles and additional governance tools
Mr. Epperhart explained the availability of and differences between Bylaws and Standing Rules. He then reviewed the “Before We Begin . . .” section, “Principles for Creating Good Bylaws.” “The biggest problem” is accountability of Board Members. Mr. Gelfand explained that Standing Rules can be changed at any time; Mr. Epperhart added that Standing Rules can be overridden.
7. Discussion of Bylaws “wireframe” and questions Bylaws must answer
Mr. Epperhart described that the “Bylaws `Wireframe’” handout contains section headings from many NCs’ Bylaws.
There was a brief recess.
There was extensive discussion regarding the feasibility of including and which financial guidelines would be good to include in NC Bylaws. Mr. Epperhart suggested that an audit function can be done by a small Committee within each NC. Mr. Abrams counseled that NCs need to show the City Council that NCs are serious about this.
MOTION (moved and seconded): the Bylaws Reform Group recommends that Neighborhood Council Bylaws shall include a uniform set of Articles that are in the same order.
MOTION PASSED by a hand vote.
Mr. Gelfand declared and it was agreed that all attendees may vote.
MOTION (moved and seconded): to create a Bylaws Reform Group Finance Committee which will report to the Group within one week of this Meeting.
DISCUSSION: The Committee will accept guidance from DONE.
MOTION PASSED by a hand vote.
MOTION (moved and seconded): to add a “Finance” Section to the Draft Bylaws Wireframe as Section number five, between “Meetings” and “Elections.”
MOTION PASSED by a hand vote.
There was discussion regarding including a no-discrimination clause in the Wireframe’s Article number one.
MOTION (moved and seconded): to add a separate Draft Bylaws Wireframe Article titled “Compliance.”
DISCUSSION: There was extensive discussion regarding whether and where subjects such as compliance, ethics, grievances and consequences could or should be included, referenced in or separate from NC Bylaws.
MOTION PASSED by a hand vote.
There was further discussion regarding useful and potential NC Standing and ad hoc Committees.
MOTION (moved and seconded): the NC Bylaws Reform Group agrees that the
Draft Bylaws Wireframe Section “Governing Board” and its subheadings, except the Subsection "What committees are there and how are the members and chairs chosen," are essential elements of NC Bylaws.
MOTION PASSED by a hand vote.
It was agreed that “Governing Board” refers to the entire NC Board of Directors, not only the Board’s Executive Officers.
There was discussion regarding that the subjects “terms” and “term limits” are optional Bylaws items.
8. Adjournment
It was agreed that the next NC Bylaws Reform Group Meeting will be in two weeks, on Saturday, February 6, 2010, at a place to be determined [see the http://ncbylaws.blogspot.com and http://ncbylawsdocuments.blogspot.com
websites].
MOTION (moved and seconded): to ADJOURN the Meeting.
Mr. Gelfand ADJOURNED the Meeting without any objections at 12:12 p.m.
