 |
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter
October
28, 2003
Re: Code of Civility
Here is a draft of a Code of Civility for Neighborhood Council governing
boards and their members. Your board may want to consider adopting
it, or a version of it.
It could be adopted by the entire governing board and/or be developed
as a document that each board member would be asked to sign.
Although the Code itself may not magically bring order and civility
to board meetings that some have felt have been unruly and uncivilized,
it would be possible to amend your bylaws so that violations of
the Code provided the basis for removal of a board member who regularly
violated the Code.
Those Neighborhood Councils wishing to amend their bylaws, or to
amend this sample Code, should first seek advice from the Office
of the City Attorney through your Project Coordinator. As long as
the City Attorney’s Neighborhood Council Advice Division continues
to be understaffed (an editorial opinion), it makes little sense
for them to have to repeat the same answers to the same questions.
We will be collecting the questions and answers and posting a “Civility
Code FAQ” on our Web site.
I have also made three articles available to you that you might
find helpful. They can be found on our home page at:
http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com
Look
for “Code of Civility” for a copy of this sample code, and look
for “Code of Civility – Articles” for these three fascinating articles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CODE
OF CIVILITY:
Collectively and individually, the members of the Board of Directors
of the ____________ Neighborhood Council agree to abide by a Code
of Civility to ensure that our Neighborhood Council’s business is
conducted in a respectful and courteous manner, and in a way that
will generate respect and credibility for our Neighborhood Council.
The freedom to express one’s views about public matters is a cornernstone
of the democratic process. The ____________ Neighborhood Council
welcomes the diverse views and opinions of our other board members
and stakeholders as they relate to the issues before us. In order
for these discussions to be meaningful and effective, we must treat
others with respect and dignity.
By adoption of this motion, and by affixing our signatures to this
document, we collectively and individually agree to abide by our
Code of Civility to the best of our abilities.
1. I will conduct myself in a professional and civil manner at all
times as a representative of the _____________ Neighborhood Council.
2. I will treat each member of the board and members of the public
with respect at all times, regardless of an individual’s opinion,
ethnicity, race, sexuality, age, disability, or religion.
3. Even in the face of disagreement or differences of opinion, I
will demonstrate esteem and deference for my colleagues and the
public.
4. Under no circumstances during Neighborhood Council meetings,
functions, or events will I engage in or threaten to engage in any
verbal or physical attack on any other individual.
5. I will commit to communicate my ideas and points of view clearly,
and allow others to do the same without interruption.
6. I will not use language that is abusive, threatening, obscene,
or slanderous, including using profanities, insults, or other disparaging
remarks or gestures.
7. Derogatory language about an individual’s ethnicity, race, sexuality,
age, disability, or religion is not acceptable.
8. I will take responsibility for my own actions, and will work
to fulfill my role and responsibilities as specified in the bylaws
9. I will commit to learn the applicable laws that govern Neighborhood
Councils, including bylaws, standing rules, the Brown Act, ethics
rules, city ordinances, and the City Charter, and will not knowingly
violate any of the above.
10. I will abide by the Neighborhood Council’s meeting procedures
or rules in order to create a safe and effective environment for
conducting business.
11. I will promote and enforce a safe meeting environment at all
times. At moments when members of the public become disruptive and
violate the rules of civility that we have pledged to follow, I
will join my fellow board members in demanding that the persons
conduct themselves in a respectful and orderly manner even if I
agree with the point of view that is being expressed.
12. I will seek to present information truthfully, and will not
knowingly misrepresent, mischaracterize, or misquote information
received from others.
13. I pledge to truly listen to and hear other points of view.
14. I will practice the art of being able to disagree without being
disagreeable.
15. If I find myself representing my personal interests before my
community’s interests, I will publicly disclose the differences
and recuse myself from voting on such matters.
16. I will commit to good faith efforts to resolve any grievances
that come before the board as specified in the bylaws.
17. I owe it to my fellow board members, the public, and the decision-makers
who we are trying to influence to make the best possible effort
to understand the issues before me. I will “do my homework.”
(Civility/Code of Civility.doc)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greg Nelson
866 / LA HELPS
213 / 485-1360
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org
email
www.lacityneighborhoods.com
website
|
|
