As the first step, all requests for funding must be submitted to the Budget and Finance Committee Chair for review...

All other requests for our support must be submitted in writing to a member of the governing board...

During our previous meeting a stakeholder asked how they can get more involved in the neighborhood council, and what is the role of the community in the decision making process? One way to become involved is to become a member of the governing board. Another way, and the best way for a person with a limited amount of time, is to become active in a neighborhood council committee. We have several committees to choose from. Each of these groups is comprised of committed community members actively engaged in the process of improving this area. Much of the work of the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council is done through volunteer action committees. The committee link list to the left is our current set of standing committees. Occasionally ad- hoc committees are also formed to work on a one-time project.

To better understand the committee process and their work we have enclosed a file which you can download below. This file contains slides that describe the decision making process and the role of open meetings in the process. The importance of open meetings and written proposals cannot be understated. Everything we do must be documented. If you have a funding request, it must be submitted in writing to the Budget and Finance Committee chair as the first step in the approval process(see link to the left). If you would like non-financial support of our council for you group or activity, you must also write a letter to a member of the governing board, asking for support. The governing board strives to make the process as open as possible and has added a second mid-month discussion meeting, where ideas can be shared without the pressure of decision making.

The Two Meeting Decision Process:...

1. Allows for adequate vetting of issues
2. Defines clear process for decision making
3. Written proposals remove ambiguity
4. Sets deadlines and improves accountability
5. Decision process is more transparent and open
6. Provides adequate time for rebuttal at either meeting by stakeholders
7. Improves communication to community of pending governing board actions.