Neighbourhood Governance. Anne-Marie Sanchez, MA Senior Consultant

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1 INTRO

2 Neighbourhood Governance Anne-Marie Sanchez, MA Senior Consultant

3 Who We Are The Centre has over 15 years experience working with non-profits and the public sector in the following areas: INTRO Board Governance Policy Development Strategic Planning Integrations, Unifications Community and Systems Planning Mediation/Conflict Resolution Organizational Development Community Based Research Our Vision Thriving relationships, organizations, communities and systems Our Core Purpose Acting as a catalyst, we provide customized, needs-based consulting and facilitation services to enhance organizations abilities to achieve their mission Our Why To create greater good for our world by strengthening organizations, communities and systems to better serve their people

4 A neighbourhood association is a group of neighbours who work together to improve their quality of place by: Organizing social events Monitoring development proposals Community clean ups Protecting natural and built heritage Increasing safety raising funds to improve parks, infrastructure, amenities, public art and more! DEFINITION - City of London

5 Core Components for a Successful Association

6 Core Purpose Helps the group define the association s reason for being. What good will we do for what group of people? STRUCTURE Helps group in making decisions (e.g. will this project align and/or support our core purpose?) Helps others (prospective volunteers, members, councilors) understand why the group exists

7 Steering/Executive team Establish a core group that are willing to commit more time toward the oversight and development of the group (i.e. above and beyond volunteering on specific projects) STRUCTURE Helps members know who is responsible in making sure the organization stays focused with its core purpose Identifies individuals who will share the workload of operating the group and potential successors in leadership roles Helpful to identify Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary

8 Membership Community Engagement ~ engaging as many community members should be something a neighbourhood association strives for STRUCTURE Strength in numbers ~ the larger membership, the more credibility and accuracy the association will have in representing its community Accountability ~ depending on how the steering committee defines its members through their Terms of Reference (who is a member, what is our accountability to them?)

9 Bylaws and/or Policies Difference between bylaws and policies Policies can still outline the following: Leadership team meeting frequency Annual General Meetings Organizational structure of leadership and membership Other policies could include: Conflict of Interest Code of Conduct Strategic planning Communications Donations Recordkeeping Voting Financial policies Steering Team Recruitment STRUCTURE

10 What different models look like: Informal nonprofit More grassroots, more focused on specific projects or events Group s energy is less focused on administration/finances of the organization How the Urban League can support (insurance for events, grants application process) MODELS Incorporated nonprofit Legal entity with legal obligations (bylaws, public financial statements, record keeping) May be able to seek for grants as an entity* Group may have more longer-term projects that requires a more formal structure Need for Directors and Officer s insurance (to protect Board Members re: wrongful termination of an employer or bad investments)

11 Community Resources (run by the City of London) (Resource library on Community Engagement) (Urban League) (Pillar, great resources for board members and to learn more about nonprofits) (government of Ontario website on how to start and operate a non profit)

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13 ORCHARD PARK/SHERWOOD FOREST RATEPAYERS INTRO

14 Orchard Park Sherwood Forest Ratepayers serves the Orchard Park and Sherwood Forest areas of London. The area is approximately bounded on the west by Wonderland Road, Sarnia Road on the South, Gainsborough Road to the North, and the University of Western Ontario and the Medway Valley on the east.

15 BY LAWS Article 1 Name INTRO Article 2 Purposes Article 3 Membership

16 BY LAWS The purposes of this organization are: To promote the development of an organized neighbourhood network to respond to development and changes. To promote a strong, unified voice at City Hall. To represent the interests of this neighbourhood in its relationship to the municipality. INTRO

17 BY LAWS Article 4 The Executive Board INTRO Section 4. Quorum. A quorum for conducting the business of the executive board shall be not less than 50 percent plus one of the board empowered to vote

18 BY LAWS Article 5 Officers and Committee Chairpersons Section 1. Officers shall be elected for terms of two years. There shall be the following elected officers. If necessary, new directors can be appointed by the executive to complete terms of any directors leaving before the completion of their term. INTRO

19 By Laws Article 6 Elections INTRO Article 7 Duties of Officers

20 BY LAWS Article 8 Meetings Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting during the month of May. Notice of such meeting shall be given each member at least 14 days before the meeting. Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the president or the board. Upon written notice of three members, the president shall call a meeting. Notice of special meetings shall be given to the members at least 14 days in advance. Section 3. A quorum INTRO

21 BY LAWS Article 9 Discipline INTRO Article 10 Amendments Article 11 Dissolution

22 ORCHARD PARK/SHERWOOD FOREST RATEPAYERS OPSFRP.ca