Title
Commissioners will finish recommending edits to the commission’s current bylaws (Devin Stenhouse, M.A. II)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that commissioners finish edits to the commission’s current bylaws.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
At the commission’s annual retreat on September 21, 2026, commissioners reviewed their current bylaws with the intention of updating any points of interest that appeared to need additional attention. At the retreat, commissioners discussed and agreed to the following:
• Standing subcommittees are recommended. These would be intended for ongoing efforts that do not necessitate a termination date. One might be "Executive Subcommittee", which would include the Chair and Vice Chair. Another might be an "Outreach Subcommittee" responsible for identifying opportunities for committee members to be present at small, large, and everything in-between events and public gatherings.
• Adding additional policies around ad hoc committees was also recommended. A glaring difference between ad hoc committees and subcommittees would be a defined end-date to ad hoc committees once the previously defined goal is accomplished. Other possible recommendations for ad hoc committees would include monthly check-ins with the commission, requiring at least one ad hoc meeting in-between each commission meeting, and evaluating the need and overall effectiveness of the ad hoc committee every three months (more or less).
• Re-order the bylaws; there currently is not an Article 4 (articles are ordered from 1 - 3 and then skip to article 5).
• Add clarity to the Alternate Commissioner's role:
o Required to attend meetings like other commissioners
o Is encouraged to speak freely like other commissioners
o Will act as a commissioner in anyone else's absence
o Will not be eligible to vote if all other commissioners are present
o Will not be eligible to make a motion or second that motion if all other commissioners are present.
Additional discussion topics regarding the bylaws were raised but not discussed including the following:
• Article 2, E: Define the Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons’ roles
• Article 5, A, i.: How to make the "complaint form" more visible.
• Article 6, C: revisit to possibly include “veterans” and other groups
• Article 6, F: How to streamline Levers of Change Framework
o Merge b and d
o Regroup to 1 - 3 (not a - c)
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, commissioners will attempt to finish edits to the current bylaws.