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DRAFT 10/4/67 REPORT OF SPECIAL WORKING SUB-COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION In recognition of the importance of agreement and clarity as to procedure for an ad hoc group such as The Urban Coalition, on September 21st the National Coordinators proposed the establishment of a representative committee drawn from the Working Committee to consider two questions: 1. What procedures should be adopted to enable the Steering Committee to develop and implement public policy positions? 2. What organizational structure should the Coalition develop? . The Committee consists of the following members: Rabbi Richard Hirsch, Chairman (Synagogue Council of America) Wayne Smithy (Ford Motor Company) Alfred Eisenpreis (Allied Stores) Andrew Biemiller (AFL-CIO) Peter Tufo (New York City) Bayard Rustin (A. Philip Randolph) Harold Fleming (Potomac Institute) PUBLIC POLICY POSITIONS Generally speaking, the public policy positions of The Urban Coalition should be achieved by consensus. Occasionally, however, it is likely that individual members of the Steering Committee may, for good and sufficient reason, wish to dissent or express reservations. This is to be expected and should be provided for with a procedural agreement that will enable the Coalition to act, at the same time protecting the interests of those in disagreement. should be simple and clear. Such procedures They should be limited to public policy positions. (The normal administrative affairs of The Urban Coalition should be governed by regular parliamentary procedure with simple majority approval serving as the basis for action). In so far as possible, advance notice shall be given of public policy questions to be on the agenda of any meeting. Issues of public policy not on the advance agenda may be added to the agenda f or discussion at the meeting with the approval of a majority of those present. �I The following procedures are proposed with respect to public policy positions of The Urban Coalition: 1. A quorum shall be a majority of the Steering Committee. 2. Any Steering Committee member may be represented by an alternate. 3. Public policy decisions will be made only by the Steeri ng Committee. 4. Only those approving (voting YES) will be listed in public statements. 5. It is understood that each Steering Committee member is free to determine the form and extent of his participation in any act ivities to implement any public policy position taken by The Urban Coal i t i on. 6. Members of the Steering Committee, or their alternates, may vot e YES, 7. NO, or may ABSTAIN. O~L p~ ~81;-;(v~,- t'li The Coalition shall take no-action on any pub l-i e-pelis;r-ma~h~ . - ~JJ_;,,~~ ¥-7-t,JJ~~ ·- ~1:...~-,, ..e~'-' a) the Steering Committee (busines s, b) vote NO, proelement of vi ded (or represent ed). 8. Polling t he Steering Committee will ordinari l y not be necessary. Shou ld the need occur, it should be l i mi ted as f ar as possibl e to implementation of t hose issues upon which t he Steering Committee has a l ready acted. Such special polls should be communicated in writing or by telegram with a specified response date indicated . Such emergency polls shall be governed by the procedures outlined above f or determing a ll public policy positions . ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE In order to be effective, the Steering Committee of the Urban Coalition should not be substantially enlarged beyond its present number. For the present, the task force concept can provide ample opportunity for enlarged participat i on in the program interests of the Coalition. The leadership and members of the task forces can report to and meet with the Steering Committee as needed. Persons can be enlisted to work on proj ects as they arise. J �As counterpart local coalitions are formed, however, or as existing coalition groups express their desire to support and work for the goals of the Urban Coalition, provision· will have to be made to channel and coordinate these groups . It is recommended, therefore, that the Steering Committee authorize the establishment of a Council on Local Coalitions. Local groups affirming their support of the Statement of Principles, Goals and Commitments and having memberships that reflect the elements · of the National Steering Committee shall be invited to designate two representatives to serve on the Council. At an early date, a meeting of the Council will be convened for the purpose of exchanging views, making recommendations to the national Steering Committee, and electing two representatives to serve on the national Steering Committee. Staff services for the Council will be provided by the national coordinating staff. �