BYLAWS of the NC BUDGET ADVOCATES. (approved on 11-18-2010). ARTICLE I Name. The name of this organization shall be the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates hereinafter referred to in these bylaws as the NCBA. ARTICLE II Purposes and Policy. Sec. 1. Purposes. The purposes of the NCBA is to explore, research, study, seek input, prepare and present the feelings and spirit of the communities of Los Angeles to the Mayor and City Council. Sec. 2. Political Affiliations. The NCBA is a nonpartisan organization and shall not advocate on behalf or against any political party. ARTICLE III Membership. Sec. 1. Eligibility. Any stakeholder of the City of Los Angeles who wishes to become involved can be appointed and/or elected to serve. Sec. 2. Types of Membership. A. Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates (Voting Members): Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates (herein Budget Advocates ) shall consist of Neighborhood Council Budget Representative who have been nominated and elected by their regional peers to advocate on behalf of their respective Neighborhood Council planning areas. Members of this group shall have voting privileges within the NCBA organization. B. Neighborhood Council Budget Representatives (Non-Voting Members): Neighborhood Council Budget Representatives (herein, Budget Representatives ) shall consist of Neighborhood Council appointed and/or elected representatives. Each Neighborhood Council shall appoint two Budget Representatives to advocate on behalf of their community during regional meetings. Budget Representatives shall act as liaisons between their respective communities and the Budget Advocates for their region. Budget Representatives are not entitled to voting rights within the NCBA organization. C. Associate Members: All other stakeholders shall be associate members.
D. Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate Alternates: Those nominated as Budget Advocates for their region who finished third and accepted to act as alternates in the event that Budget Advocates are absent. Shall have the same responsibilities and voting rights as nonalternate members. ARTICLE IV Officers Sec. 1. Election, Qualifications and Term. Budget Advocates shall elect a set of officers for the NCBA organization. The officers of the NCBA shall consist of the following seats: (i) a Chairman; (ii) a Co-Chairman; and, (iii) a secretary. They shall be voting members as budget advocates. Should an officer be a budget alternate, he/she shall have no voting rights unless their advocate either yields their vote to them, or the advocate is absent at the time of the vote. They shall be elected by the Budget Advocates to hold office until the close of the fully implemented budget cycle or until their successors have been elected and qualified. (It is assumed until the October transitional meeting) Sec. 2. The Chairman. The chairman shall have such powers of supervision and management as customarily pertain to the office; shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the board or designate another person to do so; shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee; and shall perform such other duties as the board may direct. In the event of the absence, disability, resignation or death of the Chairman, the Co- Chairman, shall assume the office. If neither chairman nor co- chairman is able to serve as president, the board shall fill the vacancy from among the elected directors. Sec. 3. The co-chairman. The co- chairman shall perform such duties as the chairman and the board shall direct. Sec. 4. The Secretary The secretary shall perform such duties as customarily pertain to the office. ARTICLE V Board of Directors. Sec. 1. Selection, Qualifications and Term. The Board of Directors (herein The Board ) shall consist of those members elected as Budget Advocates. All eleven directors and three officers shall be voting members of the NCBA. They shall serve until the close of the fully implemented budget cycle or until their successors have been elected and qualified. (It is assumed until the October transitional meeting) Sec. 2. Powers. The board (Budget Advocates) shall manage and supervise the business, affairs and activities of the NBCA in accordance to all procedures of deliberation required of the board. It is assumed that the office of the mayor will support expeditiously the requests for meetings with select city staff. The intent is to gather information to be able to understand and communicate the trends, financial reports, budget projections, audit recommendations and other pertinent information that may be necessary to make educated, critically thought thorough positions. It shall have the power to appoint an executive committee and create special
committees as it deems necessary and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. Sec. 3. Executive Committee. The board may appoint an executive committee consisting of no fewer than three members of the board. The executive committee shall exercise such power and authority as may be delegated to it by the board and shall report on all actions taken by it between regular meetings of the Budget Advocate board. The Executive Committee shall prepare agendas with input from Local and regional NCBAs and city staff. Sec. 4. Meetings. At least ten regular meetings shall be held annually at such time and place as the board may determine. The chairman may call special meetings and, upon the written request of five members of the board, shall call a special meeting. Special meetings may be conducted by electronic means, such as telephone conference call, video conferencing or e- mail. The use of electronic meetings shall be reserved for those issues needing a decision before an in-person meeting is scheduled. Notice of all regular meetings shall be given in writing at least one week before the meeting and notice of all special meetings shall be so given at least one day prior to the meeting. Notice of a meeting shall be given by written, electronic, telephonic or personal notice to each member of the board. Sec. 5. Absences. In the event a member of the board is absent from four meetings in one fiscal year, without excuse, that office shall be declared vacant. Sec. 6. Quorum. A majority of the 14 member of the board shall constitute a quorum. Any one or more members of the board may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment or internet conferencing or any other electronic means that is approved by the board allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting. A majority of those members present shall be required to pass a motion excepting those motions requiring 2/3 vote as per Roberts Rules of Order. ARTICLE VI Membership. Sec. 1. Place, Date and Call. A convention of the NCBAs shall be held at least annually at a time and place determined by the board. ARTICLE IX Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these bylaws. ARTICLE X Amendments. These bylaws may be amended at any board meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting.
. STANDING RULES of the NC BUDGET ADVOCATES. (approved on 11-18-2010). 1. Standard Rules of Decorum shall be adopted and used at all meetings. a. The Chair shall facilitate each meeting in an effort to fairly allow each one to represent their view with respect and without fear of persecution. b. Limits on amount of time allowed and times of speaking shall be strictly enforced but may be suspended by a majority vote of those present. c. During discussion, each member may state whether they are for or against the motion, before stating their reasons. d. Rules of Decorum may be suspended by vote of 2/3 vote of those present at a meeting. 2. Definitions a. Regional NCBA Regional Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates elected by their planning area at an annual mayor s budget meeting. This term is synonymous with board of directors. b. Local NCBA Locally appointed / elected stakeholders from a Neighborhood Council represented area selected to serve as Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates from their neighborhood council and represent their ideas and positions to the regional NCBA. c. Regional NCBA Alternate An elected alternate, so nominated and elected by their planning area Budget Representatives at the pre-survey Budget Day. d. Chair Person responsible for agendas, meeting sites, speakers, meeting notices, facilitation of meetings and communications as authorized by the board of directors. e. Co-Chair Assists the Chair as needed, with printing, notices and other tasks as required. Performs the duties of the chair in his/her absence. f. Secretary Records the actions taken at the meetings of the board. Provides minutes to the board members within a reasonable time after each meeting. Assists the Chair with meeting notices as needed. g. Special Committees - Special committees may be needed from time to time. These committees would accept the responsibility for a task and be expected to research, meet with staff as needed and report back to the board the progress made. Committee size may vary from two fifteen as per the chair s desire. 3. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE AT A GLANCE (Robert s Rules of Order Newly revised)
1. PLEASE NOTE: Anyone wishing to make a change to a proposed amendment (making an amendment to a motion) is required to submit the in writing, in English, to the Executive Director (or designee) before coming to the microphone. This ensures your change will be reflected accurately. 2. PUTTING A MOTION ON THE FLOOR: To make a motion or amendment to a motion, the maker should go to the microphone, be recognized by the presiding officer, state his/her name and (if relevant, his Committee) and present the motion (or amendment to the motion). The motion (or amendment) is seconded from the floor. The presiding officer putd the motion before the House for discussion. Once a motion is placed before the group by the presiding officer, it is under the control of the Chair and not belong to the delegate making the motion. For example, it cannot be withdrawn later without permission of the Chair. 3. SECONDS TO MOTIONS: It is not necessary to agree with a motion to second it. A second only implies that there is more than one person who wishes discuss the motion. Therefore, if a motion is coming from a committee, it does not need a second from the floor. 4. AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS: A motion that is on the floor may have amendments pending at one time. However, the first amendment must to the main motion and the second amendment must relate to the first amendment to the motion. 5. REFER OR POSTPONE: A motion to postpone or refer to a committee can be made while a main motion or an amendment to a main motion is pending. 6. CLOSE DEBATE or CALL THE QUESTION (same motion): A NCBA must go to a microphone to move to close debate or call the question. This action needs a second. There is no discussion, and it takes a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting to pass. After the motion to close or call the question is approved, there will be an immediate vote on the pending motion. 7. TABLE A MOTION: A motion to table ( lay on the table ) should not used to kill the motion on the floor and should not be used to postpone consideration of the motion. If a delegate does not like the motion, he/she should vote against it. If a delegate wishes to discuss the motion at another time, he/she can move to postpone or to refer the motion to a committee (see There is no motion such as table until xxxx time. (Instead, the correct would be postpone until xxxx time. ) A motion to table is used only in emergency. 8. POINT OF ORDER: If a delegate believes there was a breach of parliamentary procedure, he/she may call for a point of order. If the point of order refers to an action made by someone other than the presiding officer, the delegate should give the presiding officer time to correct the problem before interrupting with the point of order. If a delegate cannot reach a microphone in a timely manner, he/she may shout out point of order from his/her place approaching a microphone.
9. QUESTIONS: If a delegate wishes to make a motion and is not sure how to proceed, the delegate should ask the presiding officer. 4. Five (5) Issues-focused Committees, two (2) Function-focused Committees and a Government Officials Liaison Committee were formed. For starters their members were volunteers from those present. Others may join at future meetings. a. PUBLIC WORKS (INFRASTRUCTURE) an Issues-focused COMMITTEE. - RUSTY MILLAR, Chair - HEINRICH KEIFER - TERRY GOMES - ERNESTO ARIAS b. PUBLIC SAFETY an Issues-focused COMMITTEE. - Rev. MARK GORY, Chair - GINGER DAMON, Vice Chair - TERRY GOMES - DAVID CREW c. PENSION PLANS & HEALTH CARE BENEFITS an Issues-focused COMMITTEE - TERRY GOMES, Chair - LINDA ABRAMS - CLIFF JACOBS d. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (P-3) an Issues-focused COMMITTEE - LINDA ABRAMS, Chair - TERRY GOMES - DAVID CREW - Rev. MARK GORY e. CITY ATTORNEY an Issues-focused COMMITTEE - MARCELLO ROBINSON, Chair - HEINRICH KEIFER - DANIEL WISEMAN - GINGER DAMON - JAY HANDAL - CRAIG GOLDFARB
f. OUTREACH - a Function-focused COMMITTEE This committee is responsible to increase the numbers of NC Stakeholders who participate in the Survey and to implement a program of interactions which will connect the NCBA with the 92 NCs. At present, a network in which the NC Budget Representatives (NCBRs) connect the NCBA and the NCs is envisioned. There are many NCs that do not have active NCBRs that will be an important first effort. The creation of the MASTER LIST will help in this effort. Members: - CLIFF JACOBS, Chair - JAY HANDAL - SCOTT BYTOF - TERRY GOMES - Rev. MARK GORY g. FINANCIAL DATA & LIAISONS a Function-focused COMMITTEE This Committee will gather and present data on many issues, generally and in support of the other Committees, and establish relationships with the City Controller (Wendy Greuel), the CAO (Miguel Santana) and the Mayor s Office of Finance and Performance Evaluation (Georgia Mattera, GM & Matthew Rudnick) - Heinrich Keifer, Chair - Daniel Wiseman - Robert Lim
RESPONSIBILITIES of a BUDGET REPRESENTATIVE. Two Budget Representatives are appointed by each of the 92 NCs. They have four major roles at the Mayor s Community Budget Day 1. To bring the Budget issues important to their NCs to the attention of the Mayor (in the Break-Out Sessions at the Mayor s Community Budget Day, 2. To review and recommend specific issues to appear on the Budget Survey, 3. To elect the Budget Advocates who will serve throughout the year, and 4. To connect their NC to the Budget Process throughout the year. As the Budget Representative for your Neighborhood Council, we ask that you come ready with the questions and concerns of your Neighborhood Council. In your regional break out sessions, you ll review several possible questions to be included in the Mayor s Budget Survey which solicits input from millions of Angelenos. You will help decide which questions are included in the 2010-2011 Budget Survey. As a Budget Representative, you will also be asked to help solicit participants for the 2010-2011 Budget Survey. Budget Representative should have a standing agenda item at their neighborhood council meetings to convey updates on the budget advocate/representative process and plan to attend Regional Budget Day in the spring. As a Neighborhood Council Budget Representative, you are also eligible to be elected as a FY2010-2011 Budget Advocate. Two Budget Advocates and one Budget Advocate Alternate will be elected among the Neighborhood Council Budget Representatives from each of the seven regional discussions. Voting will be held after the regional break-out discussion. RESPONSIBILITIES of a BUDGET ADVOCATE. Those seeking to serve as budget advocates must be willing and able to commit time and effort to do the job on behalf of their regions. Budget advocates will be expected to 1. Attend regular Budget Advocate meetings two times a month throughout the year, on the First and Third Thursdays of each month. These meetings are open so all can attend. 2. NCBAs must do their homework by familiarizing themselves with the city s budget process and study the specific issues to be deliberated at these meetings. 3. Meet, directly, with the Mayor (once in late February-early March) to advise him on the fiscal concerns that matter most to your community. 4. Report back to the Regional NCs and Alliances, directly or through the Budget Reps; and 5. Gather information from the Regional NCs and Alliances,and bring it to the Meetings. 6. Participate in the Annual Budget deliberations of the Council s Budget & Finance Cmte. The Budget Advocates will be involved in developing the budget survey, providing comment on budget priorities to the Mayor and staff, and examining and providing suggestions on management practices of the city government. The combined number of 14 Budget Advocates,
7 Budget Advocate/Alternates and 184 Budget Representatives (2 from each of the 92 NCs) will form a network to focus on and advise out City Government on L.A. City Budget issues for the next year. (These activities should fulfill the demands of Charter Article IX, Section #908. #909 and #910 better than ever before. )