The Ward 17 Forum will promote open conversation and dialogue among residents to enhance connectedness and understanding.

We believe that open dialogue:

• Will increase interaction, understanding and appreciation between the diverse peoples of our community;
  
• Will provide a method for us to address issues;
  
• Will be a way to preserve our rich history while embracing existing assets and positive changes that are occurring in our neighborhoods; and
  
• Will attract and retain a strong core of residents who want Ward 17 to be an excellent community in which to live.
  Therefore, events, activities will be planned which engage a cross-section of Ward 17 residents in learning about, experiencing, and practicing dialogue.
  

A. Participation in events is open to anyone who lives, works, or has an interest in the Ward 17 community.
B. A regular focus is outreach to maintain a balanced group and to engage participants of various ages, tenure in the ward, race and ethnicity, geographical location in the ward, and others to reflect the diversity of the ward.
C. Voting Status: Voting status is obtained by asking to be a member and by completing an information form with contact information, interest areas, volunteer interests and others.

A. Leadership Committee: The Forum and its activities will be guided by a Leadership Committee comprised of two (2) elected Co-Chairs and four (4) other elected participants, plus appointed chairs of major events. The Ward 17 Councilperson or a representative of the Sponsors Advisory Council serves in an ex-officio role.
B. Term: The term of service for all elected positions is two years, staggered, so that the terms for one of the Co-Chairs and two of the other participants begin each year.
C. Planning Meetings: The Co-Chairs will convene planning meetings, as needed. One of the Co-Chairs will participate in any group convened to plan an activity or event.
D. Financial Matters: The Co-Chairs will oversee the funding of the organization. Submission of grant proposals or other funding requests and approval of expenditures are the authority of the Co-Chairs.
E. Functions of the Leadership Committee: To plan all Forum activities; leadership and assistance at events; and outreach.

A. The Co-Chairs and Leadership Committee members will be elected at the first meeting of each calendar year. Two weeks advance notice of the election will be given to all participants.
B. A nominating committee appointed by the Planning Committee will present a slate of nominees, and nominations at the meeting may also be made. The slate shall represent the diversity of Ward 17, and each nominee shall have participated in the Forum for at least one (1) year. The nominating committee shall consist of 3 to 5 persons, at least one of whom is not a member of the Leadership Committee.
C. All participants, as defined in Section III, are eligible to vote for the elected Leadership Committee positions. Approval of the slate is by a simple majority of those present. A quorum for the election meeting shall be ten (10) percent of Forum participants.
D. The term of office will be two (2) calendar years. A person shall serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

 

A. The Forum has something to gain from and offer to community organizations. Conversely, these organizations also have something to gain from and offer to the Forum.
B. Community organizations shall sponsor the Forum, with these responsibilities:

1. Collaborate in achieving the mission of the Forum.
2. Agree to respect the independent authority of the Forum and its leadership.
3. Consider providing annual financial and/or in-kind support of the Forum's activities.
4. Serve on a Sponsors Advisory Council.
5. Sign an agreement with the Forum to these conditions, with the Forum agreeing to abide by its mission of dialogue and community building.

C. Sponsor Advisory Council: Sponsors shall meet with the Forum Leadership Committee annually to review the activities of the Forum and to offer critiques of the Forum's ability to fulfill its mission and purpose in the community.

 

This charter may be amended by a majority vote of participants at the meeting where election of the Leadership Committee occurs. Two weeks advanced notice of the proposed amendment is required.

Summary of Amendments to this Charter
February 3, 2007: Original charter

This Charter is hereby approved by a majority vote of Forum participants on the 3rd day of February, 2007.

Michael T. Emmerth Bette S. Meyer
Co-Chair Co-Chair