HOMELESS ADVOCACY WORKING GROUP
MATTERS OF PROCEDURE AND DECORUM – 12 March 2018
MISSION STATEMENT
PRESENT MISSION STATEMENT
(As approved October 9, 2017)
It is the mission of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group to assist human beings sleeping on the street, in vehicles, in the open, and in unsafe shelters. HAWG insists unconditionally, that "Housing is a Human Right" and demands that all persons have a right to exist and be housed irrespective of race, shelter, economic. or other marginalized status, and must be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect.
PROPOSED REVISED MISSION STATEMENT
(As proposed March 12, 2018)
It is the mission of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group to assist in ameliorating the conditions of human beings sleeping on the street, in vehicles, in the open, and in unsafe shelters. HAWG insists, unconditionally, that "Housing is a Human Right" and demands that all persons have a right to exist and to be housed, irrespective of race, age, gender, shelter situation, economic ability, or other marginalized status, and must be treated always with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
PROPOSED "SPEAKING GUIDELINES" FOR HAWG GENERAL MEETINGS
All are no doubt aware that the Working Group has accomplished little policy-related business over the last three meetings. Although we have identified several issues that require detailed analysis and definition, such priority matters have systematically been carried over to the next agenda, and the next ... without being taken up. It is presumed that the Working Group is united in desiring to develop or define proposed policies that can be presented to City Council for possible action and implementation in several areas of homelessness assistance.
Accordingly, it is proposed that at the beginning of the next HAWG meeting (March 12), the meeting deliberate and TAKE ACTION on the following proposal:
SUGGESTED "SPEAKING GUIDELINES" FOR HAWG GENERAL MEETINGS:
1. Because many speakers repeat what was already stated, or deliver extended monologues, the maximum number of speakers recognized by the "stacker" on a single agenda topic will be 5.
2. To exceed the 5-speaker limit is an "urgent request" -- i.e., to continue the discussion or to permit a second recognition to a person who already spoke -- and requires a motion of "personal privilege,” which must be seconded, and approved by a majority of those present.
3. The 5-speaker limit does not apply to "brainstorming sessions" which, by definition, are "totally open discussions" by ALL those present at the meeting.
TIME ALLOTMENT FOR SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS
(As approved Oct 23, 2017)
Homeless issues are complex. Various persons have experiences to share that should be of interest and may be “teaching moments.” Also, solutions are not easy to develop and verbalize. Even so, it is a desire that the meeting should proceed rapidly and efficiently.
QUESTION: Should there be “A Desired Time Allotment” for general speaking at HAWG Meetings:
1. Appx 2 minutes per speaker at a time … (can get back on stack)
2. Appx 3 minutes per speaker at a time
3. No action needed.
[ Decision was made to permit each speaker a maximum of 3 minutes per recognition by the “stacker.” “Repeat recognition” of the same speaker can follow only after all who desire recognition have spoken ]
MATTERS OF PROCEDURE AND DECORUM – 12 March 2018
MISSION STATEMENT
PRESENT MISSION STATEMENT
(As approved October 9, 2017)
It is the mission of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group to assist human beings sleeping on the street, in vehicles, in the open, and in unsafe shelters. HAWG insists unconditionally, that "Housing is a Human Right" and demands that all persons have a right to exist and be housed irrespective of race, shelter, economic. or other marginalized status, and must be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect.
PROPOSED REVISED MISSION STATEMENT
(As proposed March 12, 2018)
It is the mission of the Homeless Advocacy Working Group to assist in ameliorating the conditions of human beings sleeping on the street, in vehicles, in the open, and in unsafe shelters. HAWG insists, unconditionally, that "Housing is a Human Right" and demands that all persons have a right to exist and to be housed, irrespective of race, age, gender, shelter situation, economic ability, or other marginalized status, and must be treated always with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
PROPOSED "SPEAKING GUIDELINES" FOR HAWG GENERAL MEETINGS
All are no doubt aware that the Working Group has accomplished little policy-related business over the last three meetings. Although we have identified several issues that require detailed analysis and definition, such priority matters have systematically been carried over to the next agenda, and the next ... without being taken up. It is presumed that the Working Group is united in desiring to develop or define proposed policies that can be presented to City Council for possible action and implementation in several areas of homelessness assistance.
Accordingly, it is proposed that at the beginning of the next HAWG meeting (March 12), the meeting deliberate and TAKE ACTION on the following proposal:
SUGGESTED "SPEAKING GUIDELINES" FOR HAWG GENERAL MEETINGS:
1. Because many speakers repeat what was already stated, or deliver extended monologues, the maximum number of speakers recognized by the "stacker" on a single agenda topic will be 5.
2. To exceed the 5-speaker limit is an "urgent request" -- i.e., to continue the discussion or to permit a second recognition to a person who already spoke -- and requires a motion of "personal privilege,” which must be seconded, and approved by a majority of those present.
3. The 5-speaker limit does not apply to "brainstorming sessions" which, by definition, are "totally open discussions" by ALL those present at the meeting.
TIME ALLOTMENT FOR SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS
(As approved Oct 23, 2017)
Homeless issues are complex. Various persons have experiences to share that should be of interest and may be “teaching moments.” Also, solutions are not easy to develop and verbalize. Even so, it is a desire that the meeting should proceed rapidly and efficiently.
QUESTION: Should there be “A Desired Time Allotment” for general speaking at HAWG Meetings:
1. Appx 2 minutes per speaker at a time … (can get back on stack)
2. Appx 3 minutes per speaker at a time
3. No action needed.
[ Decision was made to permit each speaker a maximum of 3 minutes per recognition by the “stacker.” “Repeat recognition” of the same speaker can follow only after all who desire recognition have spoken ]
