| Q: |
Who
can attend the Advisory Board meetings? |
| A: |
The
Advisory Board is governed by the Brown Act.
That means that all meetings of the Advisory Board
and its committees are open to the public. We are required to post
the meeting agenda at least 72 hours in advance. |
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| Q: |
How
can I get an agenda? |
| A: |
You
can request to be placed on our mailing
list or you can check the website for posted agendas. |
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| Q: |
How
can I get on the Advisory Board? |
| A. |
Every
October some seats on the Advisory Board become vacant. You may
qualify for a seat depending on whether you work for an agency, or
were or are homeless. In September, the Membership
and Rules Committee recruits new members. Some seats
are appointed by the agency, other persons are elected by their
regional homeless coalition and the remaining seats are filled
through an application process. |
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| Q: |
How
does policy get made at LAHSA? |
| A: |
While
the Commission
ultimately makes policy, the Advisory Board can play a role by
making a formal recommendation. |
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|
| Q: |
What
if I don’t like what the Advisory Board is doing? |
| A: |
You
can make your opinion known at the Advisory
Board meeting during public participation or you may
request to speak at the Commission meeting. |
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|
| Q: |
How
can I make a presentation to the Advisory Board? |
| A: |
The Executive Committee
sets the agenda for the monthly Advisory Board meeting. You can
notify staff or any member of the Executive Committee that you
would like to make a presentation. Or you can come to the
Executive Committee meeting and make your request when the
Committee discusses agenda items. |
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| Q: |
Can
I talk at an Advisory Board meeting if I am not a member? |
| A: |
Members
of the public may request to speak on agenda items. If the issue
you want to discuss does not fall under a specific agenda item,
you make speak during the "public participation" period
at the beginning of the meeting. You must complete a "speaker’s
card" and give it to the LAHSA staff person before the item
is called by the Chair. The Chair will call your name when it is
time for you to speak. In most cases, you will be limited to three
minutes to make your point. |
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|
| Q: |
Pointers
for public speaking. |
| A: |
State
your name.
If you represent an organization, say so.
Begin with one sentence about why you wanted to speak (what do you
want the Board to know?)
Keep your explanation clear and brief.
If you want the Advisory Board to do something, be very clear
about what you want.
Keep in mind that the Advisory Board can only make recommendations
to the Commission. It cannot make policy decisions, nor can it
give direction to staff. However, the Advisory Board can and does
send letters to elected officials independently of the Commission. |
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