Understanding the Role and Scope of Responsibility of
the Board/Commission
Board/commission members should become acquainted with
the City programs within their group's scope of interest by consulting with relevant staff liaison. However, the role of the board/commission is
to advise the City Council on specific City
program areas and related policies, not to establish City policy or administer City programs.
Be Careful to Properly Represent the Board/Commission
Individual board/commission members must not represent
their own views or recommendations as those of the board/commission unless the majority of the body has officially voted
to approve such action.
Board/commission members making recommendations or
expressing views not approved by a majority of a board/commission should indicate they are expressing
themselves as private citizens. Public statements should contain no promises to the public that
purport to be binding on the board/commission,
staff or City Council.
Be Concerned with the Entire Community
Although board/commission members may be selected in
part on the basis of representing clearly defined groups, in order to assure that all interests are voiced
and considered, upon appointment each member
should represent the overall public good and not that of an exclusive group or
interest. The question, "What is good for the entire
community?" should take precedence over "What will increase the advantage of my interest group?“
A board/commission is in the unique position of serving
as a liaison between the City and the general public in helping to reconcile contradictory viewpoints and building a
consensus around common goals and
objectives. Therefore, each member must
serve as a communication link between the community and the City, explaining city programs and
recommendations, as well as providing a channel for citizen expression.
Good relations with the City Council and City staff are
necessary for the successful operation of any board/commission. It is important
that each board/commission member respect the authority of those who, in the end, will be charged with the final
responsibility
for action taken by the City. To avoid placing the City Council and City
staff in a compromising position and to
facilitate effective communications, it should be clear that your actions as a
board/commission are as a body.