Operating Procedures for Cully Association of Neighbors (CAN)
Approved by the Board 11/28/17
Introduction
This document aims to facilitate decision-making by CAN board members. The CAN general membership votes on the election and recall of board members and on amendments to the bylaws. In accordance with ONI procedures and CAN bylaws, the board has sole authority to make all other decisions for CAN.
CAN expects to follow the guidelines and procedures in this document in the ordinary course, but they are not binding in themselves. (Some provisions may be binding pursuant to other documents, such as the bylaws.) The board may decide, in its discretion, not to follow these guidelines.
Speakers at General and Board Meetings
The chair is responsible for setting meeting agendas, and the chair exercises his or her discretion in inviting individuals to speak at meetings. The chair welcomes requests by individuals, schools, businesses, elected officials, governmental staff and others to speak at a CAN meeting on a wide range of topics. Preference is given to topics most directly relevant to the Cully community. CAN permits speakers on topics that may be controversial. Whenever feasible, CAN will strive to provide a fair opportunity for opposing viewpoints to be presented at the same meeting.
CAN may host a candidate or ballot-measure forum. In such an event, CAN will strive to ensure fair procedures for all points of view.
CAN Advocacy
CAN advocates for the interests of the Cully neighborhood. Advocacy may include letters to decision-makers, meetings with elected officials, and testimony at public hearings.
Effective advocacy must sometimes meet tight deadlines if CAN is to have a voice in public process. These deadlines do not always conform to board or general meeting schedules. Within this constraint, statements of advocacy will be provided to the board and the neighborhood as early as practicable in the process in order to solicit feedback. An affirmative board vote is always required before any letter is sent or testimony presented representing CAN.
Nothing in these procedures limits the right of CAN board members or community members to send individual letters expressing their personal opinions.
The City of Portland’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement prohibits city-recognized neighborhood associations such as CAN from endorsing candidates for public office.
E-mails, Website and Newsletter
CAN distributes information of interest to the neighborhood through its email list-serv, through its website and through its quarterly print newsletter, Cully Neighbor News. CAN welcomes requests for information to be distributed to the neighborhood via email, the website and the newsletter. Relevant information may include announcements about festivals, workshops, events and programs located in or near Cully.
The information must be of general community interest. Fundraisers and similar requests for the benefit of an individual will not be sent out.
For non-profit organizations, CAN generally will distribute information about fundraisers.
For for-profit organizations, CAN will distribute information about free events, provided that they are of general community interest and not merely a business promotion (even if the business promotion event is free). For business promotion, businesses are encouraged to purchase a paid advertisement in the newsletter.
For governmental entities such as the City and the County, CAN will distribute information particularly relevant to Cully.
In order not to overwhelm recipients of the information, CAN will limit distribution to only those items of particular relevance to Cully. All requests for distribution also are subject to the discretion of the Chair or the Chair’s designee.
Grant and Donation Requests
CAN provides limited financial support to community projects. For ordinary grants and donations, Article III Section 3 of CAN’s bylaws states: “Requests for CAN funds may be made for projects or activities that will benefit the Cully neighborhood, but not for private or personal use. Requests exceeding $500 will be discussed and tabled for vote at the next general meeting.”
Special Committees
In accordance with Article V Section 2 of CAN’s bylaws, CAN has the authority to create and disband special committees, such as the Transportation and Land use Committee and the Minigrant Committee.
Sponsoring Events
CAN occasionally co-sponsors community events. Co-sponsorship is effected by board vote.