giving voice to southern colorado. action 22 area 35% of state’s land; 20% of population ...
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Giving Voice to Southern Colorado
ACTION 22 AREA
35% of State’s land; 20% of population Geographic Regions:
San Luis Valley: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache
Upper Arkansas Valley: Chaffee, Fremont, Custer and Pueblo
North Front Range: El Paso, Park & Teller South Front Range: Crowley, Huerfano, Las
Animas, Otero Lower Arkansas Valley: Baca, Bent, Cheyenne,
Kiowa, Prowers
ACTION 22 AREA
MISSION
Giving Voice to Southern Colorado.
Action 22 is the only regional advocacy organization in Southern Colorado working on common issues affecting 22 citizens in the 22 county geographic area.
HISTORY
Too often, southern Colorado was forgotten.
Businesses, cities, organizations, counties, and individuals in coalition.
Patterned after Club 20 in Western Slope
Charter Convention held January 1999 Full-time office June 2000
ORGANIZATION
Non-partisan organization Open to individuals, cities, counties,
businesses and organizations. Tax-deductible membership
investment (dues) Revenue only dues & meetings. Not
beholden to outside interests.
ORGANIZATION
ACTION 22 MEMBERS
COUNTY CAUCUSES
POLICY COMMITTEES
PROPOSED POLICIES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT/CEO
ADOPTED POLICIES
ACTION 22 members are in the driver’s seat of the organization and are responsible for two direct leadership functions:participating in the issue committees of their choice, andelecting their county representative to the Board of Directors.
Through the committees, the members recommend proposed policies defining how ACTION 22 addresses issues.
The Board of Directors has two primary leadership functions:adopting the policies that provide the sideboards within which ACTION 22 lobbies
and electing the organization’s officers
The President/CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization in accordance with ACTION 22 policies and oversight by the Executive Committee.
Through their biennial County Caucus, the members elect up to 3 delegates to represent their county on ACTION 22 Board of Directors
The Executive Committee is comprised of 5 officers, 4 Chairman’s appointees; and 5 Regional vice Chairs. The Committee is responsible for hiring Action 22’s President and monitoring the affairs of the organization between Board meetings.
MEMBERSHIP
Invest in the Future of Southern Colorado.
Provide input into public policy development.
Tax-deductible as a business expense, not a charitable contribution.
COUNTY CAUCUS
Meetings called by Board delegates Held to keep members informed on
Action 22 issues and obtain input Members keep Board delegates
informed on issues and concerns Members in each county elect up to
three (3) delegates to Board of Directors to represent county area.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Each 22 county geographic area has an equal voice on the Board
1 vote per county, no matter size 3 delegates, elected by members in
each county area, may submit 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 vote
Up to 66 members on Board of Directors
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
No limit to terms – up to membership in each county
Balance between continuity of leadership and new people with fresh ideas
Officers: Chair, Chair-elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past Chair
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In addition, five (5) regional vice chairs elected by region’s counties’ delegates
Supermajority vote required to take positions
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
Represent the MAJORITY opinion of their geographic area, leaving personal opinions out of discussion
Should be active in community Attend 2 Board meetings per year Communicate with Board delegates
in region to find common issues and concerns
ISSUE PROCESS1. When an issue emerges that demands ACTION 22’s response….
2a.If A22 has clear policy* on the issue
3a.Then the President/CEO may immediately respond to the issue on behalf of A22 in a manner that is consistent with the policy
2b.If A22 has broad policy* on the issue
3b.Then the President/CEO will forward the policy and information on the issue to the appropriate committee for input and a recommendation.
4b.The President/CEO will then forward the recommendation to the Board of Directors with her own recommendation and request direction.
5b.Upon receiving direction, the President/CEO will respond to the issue on behalf of A22 in a manner that is consistent with the Board’s direction
2c.If A22 has NO policy* on the issue
3c.Action 22 CANNOT take a position on the issue.
4c.The President/CEO may send the issue to the appropriate committee to consider. The committee discusses the issue and determines whether or not to submit a policy recommendation to the Board of Directors.
5c.The Action 22 Board of Directors will then review the policy recommendation and must act on all such matters before they become official Action 22 policy.
* NOTEIt is important to note that the basis for all Action 22 actions are issue policies recommended by policy committees and adopted by the Board of Directors. These provide the sideboards within which ACTION 22 may lobby. The Board of Directors adopts and amends policy.
COMMITTEES
Backbone of Action 22 Research and study of issues done
at committees (meetings, conference calls, e-mail)
Recommend positions to Board of Directors
Members encouraged to become involved on committees
COMMITTEES
Agriculture, Public Lands & Natural Resources
Business Affairs Education & Workforce Energy Fiscal Policy Health Issues Tourism Transportation Water
AD HOC AND TASK FORCES
Appointed by the Board as needed
COMMITTEE PROCESS
A2Two weeks prior to meeting: Member or organization provides Action 22 an electronic fact sheet/background on the issue including pros and cons, if possible. In addition, recommended position. Draft resolution welcome but not required.
A3At meeting: Member or organization provides short presentation on the issue and formally requests support or opposition to the issue.
B4At meeting: Study group provides short presentation on the issue and formally requests support or opposition to the issue.
B3Two weeks prior to next committee meeting: Study group provides Action 22 an electronic fact sheet/background on the issue including pros and cons, if possible. In addition, recommended position. Draft resolution welcome but not required.
B2Then the Chairman of the Committee appoints a study group to research the issue.
If approved: Resolution is drafted (revised as needed based on committee input) and forwarded for BOARD ACTION
BOARD ACTION: Approve, send back for more information or not approve recommendation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Chair asks study group to obtain information requested, committee revises and returns recommendation to the board.
NOT APPROVED: Chair and Committee discusses whether or not to continue to pursue issue. Once decided, Chair may go through B2-B4 steps with direction from Committee.
1. Issues may be brought up by members and/or organizations …
ROLE OF COMMITTEES
Anticipate issues affecting the Action 22 area and formulate recommended positions/policies to the Action 22 board of directors.
Communicate positions/policies including influencing decision/policy makers.
Become knowledgeable on issues of concern including the ability of testifying before Colorado General Assembly Committees on adopted positions/policies.
Annually review positions and update, replace or eliminate as needed.
ROLE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Attend committee meetings and participate in e-mail discussions.
Keep informed on activities in your industry, town, city, community and county.
Build relationships with local officials, legislators and those on State boards and commissions.
ROLE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Provide information at committee meetings on current issues, potential issues anticipating what may be occurring in the future.
Be an Ambassador for Action 22
Attend caucus meetings
Communicate with Board delegates – they are YOUR representatives
BENEFITS
Access to Action 22’s In-House Lobbyist Committee Summits
2 times a year in person. Conference Call Committee Meetings in-between Summits
Special Meetings Regional, Caucus and as scheduled
Annual Conference 4th Weekend in September
BENEFITS
Legislative Day at the Capitol (January-February timeframe)
Legislative Updates and Alerts during legislative session
Monday Morning Updates Website: www.action22.org Tourism Website:
www.coloradosfrontier.com
BENEFITS
Networking With Federal and State elected officials &
Department heads Businesses, individuals, organizations, city and
county officials in 22 counties Opportunity to build coalitions ACROSS county
lines and statewide Discuss best practices with others in your
industry Providing your ideas and suggestions
toward building public policy for the future of Southern Colorado.
SAMPLING OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Support changing Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve to National Park
Involved in leadership role to create Water, Transportation Principles, Health Principles and Telecommunications Principles.
SAMPLING OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Major steps completed toward Hwy. 50 Expansion
Growth in membership Statewide collaboration on issues Continued work on “Ports to Plains”
Corridor Enhanced influence and statewide
presence
SAMPLING OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Built southern Colorado as Tourist Destination site resulting in collaborative work: Partnerships built. 6 counties in San Luis
Valley; 6 counties in SE Colorado and soon, 5 counties along I-25 corridor
Next step: National advertising on search engines for www.coloradosfrontier.com
SAMPLING OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Enhancing alternative energy possibilities
Started regional discussion on economic development issues & opportunities
Established Action 22 Foundation to build community capacity
PO Box 697
Pueblo, CO 81002719-560-9897 * 1-888-799-1799
Fax: 719-546-1558www.action22.org
INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF SOUTHERN COLORADO – JOIN TODAY!