Each citizen board or commission that is created by the City or County Commission to share in the rights and responsibilities of local government should:
(1) have a clear statement of the purpose and responsibilities of the board or commission, officers, bylaws, minutes, and new member orientation; 
(2)  base decisions on information actively gathered from all sources whether lay or professional, staff or public; 
(3) work with other boards or commissions on issues of mutual interest; and
(4) provide the City or County Commission with recommendations on issues within its province as it wishes.

The lines of communication among the city (or county) boards and commissions, and the public need to be expanded using such methods as (1) published lists of members, meeting times and places, and agendas; (2) insuring that letters, memos, etc., reach their intended destinations; and (3) that useful information be fully provided interested parties.

The League of Women Voters of Lawrence–Douglas County recognizes the City or County Commission's ultimate responsibility for the proper and efficient management of their agencies, and for determining the policies with which the city or county operates.  It further recognizes that boards and commissions are created by the City or County Commission to relieve them of some of the many burdens by utilizing community resources in the form of volunteer citizen help.  Because League is devoted to the concept of citizen participation in government, it particularly endorses the role boards and commissions play in this sharing of governmental responsibility.

League recommends that boards and commissions organize themselves more effectively by employing the following: (1) a clear statement of the purpose and responsibilities of the board or commission; (2) a fully organized board with officers and, if the board is of sufficient size, subcommittees; (3) a full set of bylaws; (4) complete and organized minutes as historical records; (5) a trained secretary, not a member of the board, to take minutes; and (6) an orientation for new board members provided by the chairman that includes both a discussion of responsibilities and the presentation of a set of organizational documents.
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League views board and commission members as representative of both the City Commission and the public.  Members' decisions should be based on their best judgment after gathering information from all sources whether professional or lay, staff or public.  A spirit of openness and availability to such input is needed to encourage more dialogue with the public.  The decision making process should occur in meetings open to the public.

Communication between the City (or County) Commission, the public, and boards and commissions needs to be expanded.  Attending meetings, reading minutes,  offering suggestions, complimenting effective performance, etc., all indicate a community concerned with its institutions.  Publication of agendas, meeting times and places, lists of current members, board vacancies, and handouts increase the public's awareness of boards and commissions.  The city staff needs to be diligent in passing on all communications intended for a board or commission, in providing useful information, and in keeping files up-to-date in the city offices.  Staff reports to the various boards and commissions should be objective and factual.
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League believes that boards and commissions should work together on issues of mutual interest.  Some public issues might be more easily resolved because of recommendations based on combined evaluations.
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Finally, League believes that any board or commission may take the initiative on any issues within its areas of interest to provide the City or County Commission with a recommendation or to make a request.

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