Summary of May 17, 2001 Chapter Governing Board Meeting

 

Meeting Minutes: The Governing Board approved the minutes from the April 26, 2001 Governing Board Meeting after accepting emendation offered by Mr. Falterman. Mr. Jameson requested advice on whether any of the discussion (in particular the discussion of the decisions of the Awards Committee) at the April 26, 2001 should fall under "executive session" provisions for publishing to the Chapter web site. After discussion, the Governing Board decided that the full text of the Minutes should be published.

Chapter Bylaws: Mr. Moeller discussed the draft Chapter Bylaws that he had prepared. Members of the Chapter must be National ASPA members. The Bylaws includes a provision for Chapter Affiliates. Mr. Falterman asked Mr. Moeller to state the difference between Chapter Bylaws and the Chapter Constitution. Mr. Moeller said that the Bylaws contain details for the day-to-day operation of the Chapter and exists between the Chapter Constitution and a set of Chapter rules. The Governing Board is being asked to review the draft Bylaws and to make a recommendation to the General Membership at the Chapter Annual Meeting. The provision for removal of a Council Member "without cause" recognizes that Council Members serve "at will" and allows for removal without stating a formal reason (to avoid "hurt feelings" or public embarrassment). Mr. Rolandi asked about reinstatement of a "removed" Council Member; Mr. Moeller said that this was not addressed in the draft Bylaws. Mr. Falterman asked if the draft Bylaws should be forwarded to David Lowry of National ASPA for review against the National ASPA Constitution and ByLaws; Mr. Moeller agreed that Mr. Lowry should review the Bylaws and he will contact him about this. Mr. Falterman also suggested that we should request input from National ASPA as to the National ASPA policy on Chapter Affiliates. The issue of proxy voting was discussed. Mr. Rolandi said that National ASPA has no provisions for proxy voting and he does not feel that it is appropriate for the Chapter. Mr. Moeller said that the proxy voting provision is only for the General Membership Meeting and not for the Governing Board Meetings. Mr. Falterman believes there is a conflict between the draft ByLaws and the Chapter Constitution in the provision for appointing additional Chapter Officers. He believes that the ByLaws go beyond what is allowed in the Chapter Constitution. He suggested that we obtain clarification from National ASPA regarding the reading of the Chapter Constitution provision for "[t]he officers of the Chapter shall be…" Mr. Rolandi stated that he did not believe this provision was meant to be restrictive and believed that the Chapter could appoint Chapter Officers beyond those specified in the Chapter Constitution. Mr. Falterman also saw conflicts between the Chapter Constitution and the draft Bylaws in provisions regarding the Chapter Election process and the quorum for Council Meetings. Mr. Moeller stated that, with regards to the quorum issue, he believes that the problem lies with the rigid number stated in the Constitution. Mr. Van Ryzin suggested that an amendment to the Chapter Constitution may be appropriate at the Annual Meeting; Mr. Moeller agreed with this. The Annual Meeting is now scheduled to be held on June 28, 2001 and we need a mailing to the General Membership with the proposed Chapter Bylaws and the proposed amendments to the Chapter Constitution. The Governing Board decided to move the Annual Meeting to June 26th at 6:00PM. The Chapter Governing Board will meet in a Special Session on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 6:00PM to further discuss the Chapter Bylaws and the Chapter Constitution.

Chapter Elections: Mr. Moeller said that the Nominating Committee had completed the slate of candidates for the next Chapter Election. Bill Ciaccio has been nominated as Chapter President. Chris Meyer has been nominated as Chapter Vice-President. The nominees for the four open seats on the Chapter Council are: Ed Falterman, Paula Gerard, Peter Tinker, and Dan Williams. Mr. Van Ryzin said that the Election Ballot will be bundled with the proposed Chapter Bylaws and proposed amendments to the Constitution and be sent out on May 30, 2001. The deadline for completed Ballots will be a postmark date of June 15, 2001. Mr. Falterman suggested that we request a judge to perform the swearing-in ceremony at the General Meeting on June 28, 2001. The Governing Board agreed to this suggestion. Mr. Falterman will make the arrangements with a judge. The swearing-in ceremony will be a photo and publicity opportunity. Mr. Jameson said that we need a more accurate list of current members for the Ballot mailing than he has been using for the Newsletter distribution.

Treasurer's Report: Mr. Meyer said that the Chapter Fund Balance is $5,154.06. The change from the prior Treasurer's Report is due to bank charges.

Chapter Annual Awards Banquet: Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire spoke about the flow of events for the banquet evening and asked for suggestions. The scheduled start is 6:00PM; we are scheduled to be out of the restaurant by 9:00PM. Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire suggested that the Dinner start at 6:15 with the appetizer course followed by the Guest Speakers. The main course would then be served. The awards would be presented between the main course and the dessert course. There is the need for flexibility to allow for the schedules of the Guest Speakers. The Keynote Speakers and the Awards could be interspersed with the courses. There will be an introduction for each awardee. Mr. Van Ryzin will introduce Dr. Weikart, Mr. Ciaccio will introduce Mr. Tomasetti, Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire will introduce Ms. Fields, Mr. Meyer will introduce Mr. Montesano, Fran Kramer will introduce New York Cares, Mr. Justice will introduce Ms. Gerard, Mr. Rolandi will introduce Dean Boufford, Mr. Falterman will introduce Ms. Eldridge. Ms. Roberts suggested that we send congratulatory letters to the winners of the Sloan Awards and invite them to attend our Annual Awards Banquet. The Sloan Awards are made by the Fund for the City of New York. The invitation would be from a fellow public service organization; the invitation would be to purchase tickets not as complimentary dinners. It was suggested that a program for the Banquet be printed showing the Award winners and the menu. Mr. Ciaccio and Mr. Rolandi volunteered to work on this program booklet. Mr. Van Ryzin said that he had met Lisa Gulick, the granddaughter of Luther Gulick. He suggested that we invite her to speak about her grandfather (for whom the Chapter Awards are named in honor of). Mr. Meyer said that he had nineteen registrations for the Dinner thus far. He asked for volunteers to do phone contacts with members to encourage attendance and planned to contact schools of public administration to publicize the event. A press release will go to The Chief, the Daily News, and the Amsterdam News. Mr. Falterman will send the announcement to the PA Times and the ASPA ListServ. Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire asked about photographs for the Awards banquet, options were presented to avoid the expense of hiring a professional photographer. Mr. Falterman mentioned the complimentary ASPA memberships being given and requested the Chapter President (Mr. Van Ryzin) to send out welcome notices to these people.

Student Essay Contest: Mr. Tinker said that there had been two submissions to the contest. Mr. Tinker thought the submission from Christopher Lui (from the Bronx High School of Science) was the superior essay. Mr. Jameson (who was also a reader for the Essay Contest) concurred with Mr. Tinker. The Governing Board accepted the recommendation and the Chapter will present the award to Mr. Lui. Mr. Jameson suggested that the Chapter should send an "honorable mention" certificate (but without an invitation to the Awards Banquet) to the other essayist (a student at Forest Hills High School). A book (an encyclopedia) will be presented to the winner.

New York City Term Limits: Mr. Falterman distributed copies of the Transitions newsletter which discusses the work of the Project on Transition and leadership 2001 sponsored by the Baruch College, CUNY School of Public Affairs. He also distributed copies of the Gotham Gazette Searchlight on the City Council newsletter (published by the Citizens Union of the City of New York). Mr. Falterman said that 35 of the 51 City Council seats and four out of the five Borough Presidencies are affected by the term limits legislation in the next election. Mr. Falterman stated that Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire and he participated in the Running For City Council Forums. These forums dealt with the issue of the 2001 Term Limits for New York City Elected Officials and were co-hosted by the Center for Transition and Leadership in Government at Baruch's School of Public Affairs and the New York City 2001 Political Education Coalition (a coalition formed by the New York Women's Agenda). The weekend forums provided information on understanding New York City governance, with special emphasis on the role of the City Council. Experts focused on the Council's role in the budget process, land use, contracting, constitutes' needs and uniformed services. Mr. Falterman also stated that Paula Gerard is the Staff Director of the Project on Transition and Leadership 2001.

Legislative Redistricting Hearings: Mr. Falterman distributed copies of the New York State Legislature Public Hearing Calendar which shows the schedule of Public Hearings on Congressional and state legislative redistricting in the New York City boroughs for the New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.

National ASPA Elections: Mr. Rolandi distributed material relevant to the candidacy of Cheryl Broom for National ASPA Vice President and requested the Governing Board to recommend Ms. Broom and support. Mr. Rolandi is Ms. Broom's campaign coordinator for the Northeast. The Governing Board voted to support Ms. Broom's candidacy. Mr. Rolandi will prepare the paperwork. Mr. Van Ryzin will send a letter to National ASPA stating the support of the Chapter for Ms. Broom's candidacy.

[The attendees prepared a mailing for the Public Service Awards Banquet flyer before and during the Governing Board Meeting.]

[The Meeting was convened at 6:11PM and adjourned at 8:17PM. The Meeting was held at Baruch College, CUNY, School of Public Affairs, 137 East 22nd Street, NYC, Room 202. Attendees: Mr. Ciaccio, Mr. Falterman, Ms. Gerard, Ms. Hubbard-Kamunanwire, Mr. Jameson, Mr. Justice, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Moeller, Ms. Roberts, Mr. Rolandi, Mr. Tinker, Mr. Van Ryzin, and Mr. Williams. Minutes recorded by Mr. Jameson.]