Shaping Orange County's Future Final Full Report

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It should be noted that it is anticipated that The Citizens' Roundtable could become an important force for building community in Orange County. However, community - building is not its primary purpose, but rather, an important by- product as was the case with the Shaping Orange County's Future Task Force. The real purpose of the Roundtable like the SOCF initiative is in addressing real issues and, through the consensus process, in finding real solutions which, in essence, represent a true community -wide commitment. Success of the Roundtable will also depend on the commitment of local elected boards to seriously consider the recommendations and input of the group. Structure and Operation Membership: Initially, in considering the number of appointees to The Citizens' Roundtable, a group half the size of the SOCF task Force was suggested (15). However, in further discussion with Task Force members their recommendation was that it should have the same number of appointees as the Task Force (30), their reasoning being that since not everyone can be present every time, having 30 ensures solid attendance and diversity at each meeting. And by allowing people to be absent without guilt, appointees would be encouraged to serve a full term. Interested citizens would be asked to volunteer and Roundtable appointments would subsequently be made from that pool of names. It is proposed that all of the county's governing bodies have an opportunity to make appointments to The Citizens' Roundtable: the County Commissioners, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. There should also be appointees from those portions of Mebane and Durham within Orange County's jurisdiction. The County Commissioners should oversee all of these appointments in terms of countywide representation and diversity in regard to age, sex, race, and other factors such as disability and /or special experience, training, or education. Term of Office: A suggested term of Office for appointments to The Citizens' Roundtable would be three years, long enough for the group to come to know each other well and establish rapport, and short enough to enable most people to serve a full term. With thirty members, terms could be staggered with one third rotated off each year. Another approach might be for each selected group to serve their three -year term together and then, at the end of that term, for a new group to be appointed. As the SOCF Task Force has observed, such continuity has been a critical factor in establishing the atmosphere of civility and trust which has contributed so much to its ability to work well together. Co- Chairs and Staff: The SOCF Task Force has operated with co- chairs, one representing the Northern and more rural part of the county and the other, representing the Southern and more urban part. They have essentially managed the meetings and served as the liaisons with the staff in planning the agendas and other task force activities. There have been two Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department staff assigned to assist the Task Force in setting its directions and in taking care of most of its administrative work. They have also researched and written many of the background documents that particular issues have required. A third staff member has been a facilitator from the Dispute Settlement Center in Chapel Hill. He has overseen orientation and training sessions for the Task Force, has served as a facilitator for many discussions, and has provided ongoing guidance to the group concerning discussion techniques and operating by consensus. It is proposed that these same leadership arrangements be maintained for The Citizens' Roundtable, that is, professional planning and facilitation staff.