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I don't think being a Commissioner should be any kind of prerequisite for running for office, nor do I think that the role of the ANCs is any less serious than the role that the Council, Judiciary, or Executive Branch plays. I think it is entirely reasonable for an individual to set their sights on being an ANC Commissioner and not have any desire for higher office.

However, I think the ANCs and ANC Commissioners are often the most active and well-informed members of a community and I think it would be helpful for our city as a whole to invest in their professionalism in recognition that in all likelihood these are the folks who will play a role in shaping the Council through the election process or will seek election to higher office.

I thought the analogy to a Junior Varsity team was apt because the more investment the school makes in all of its squads, the deeper the bench ultimately becomes.

With regard to public participation at ANC meetings

Again, based on my experience, I think Lance makes an excellent point about participation by the broader community. Rules of Order become critical to managing a meeting when you have a large number of members on a Commission. By necessity, you need to move away from the Town Hall format. My answer to this (which was rejected by my colleagues) was to establish committees of residents to make formal recommendations on specific issues that the Commission could then vote up or down. The danger is when that Committee takes on a life of its own and no longer relies upon the authority or guidance of the ANC.

by Phil Lepanto on Mar 22, 2011 4:22 pm • link • report