City Committees have alot of power, but only if their members know how to use it. I’m not sure that this training will tell you that, but its a start. Understanding the process and why they City operates the committee system the way we do is a huge first step in making sure that committee members understand the full extent of their power. Maybe that’s why the trainings are typically help in August, when most committees take a break, and most committee members, take a vacation. Here’s part of the letter many folks will be receiveing soon – I hope people can find the time to attend!
It is important that we provide sufficient training so that you are able to carry out your membership responsibilities. Training sessions have been scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Monday, August 11 – Main Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Conference Room 202
Wednesday, August 13 – Council Chambers, 210 M L King Jr. Blvd, Room 201
The sessions are identical; you only need to attend one.Newly appointed members and those who have not received formal training are encouraged to attend. If you’ve attended training in the past and would like a refresher course, you are welcome to attend.
If you are not able to attend one of the meetings in person, Madison City Channel will broadcast the meetings on Cable Channel 994. Please check the channel schedule for replay dates and times.
The training session is also available on the City’s committee Web site at: www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/CommTraining/CMTIndex.htm as a streaming video. The materials used in the presentations can be viewed and/or printed from this Web site.
Please RSVP to Pam Williamson at 266-4434 or pwilliamson@cityofmadison.com only if you plan to attend one of the sessions. Feel free to contact Pam if you have any questions.
Here’s the agenda:
I. Welcome
II. Karl van Lith, Human Resources/Organizational Development and Training
• Role/responsibilities of committee membersIII. Michael May, City Attorney, and Roger Allen, Assistant City Attorney
• Ethics
• Robert’s Rules of Order
• Open Meetings/Public RecordsIV. Questions and Answers
Ok – I have a question or two. Where to they talk about what legistar is? How referrals work? What a recommendation means? Should there be a resolution with your report? If there isn’t what does it mean for the report? What is the difference between a lead committee and a referral committee? How should the recommendations come back to council to be effective? etc. etc. etc.
I’d love to have this second piece of training so that committee members can be as effective as possible within our system. But that would probably give them too much power and make the time they spend on committees more effective, so I doubt it will happen.
