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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Coordination Committee - Agenda - 6/10/2024K:\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Meeting information\TCC meeting info 2024\2024-05-20 rescheduled to 2024-06-10 TCC meeting info\TCC Meeting Notice 2024-06-10.docx Department of Human Services 117 East Fifth Street P.O. Box 100 Washburn, WI 54891-0100 Telephone (715) 373-6144 Fax (715) 373-6130 Email: baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov ________________________________________________________________________________________ FROM: Carrie Linder, Aging and Disability Services Manager DATE: June 3, 2024 RE: Meeting Notice The Bayfield County Department of Human Services Transportation Coordinating Committee will meet on Monday, June 10th, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. This meeting will originate in conference room A in the lower level of the Courthouse, with remote participation available via Microsoft Teams or telephone: Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 233 308 141 590 Passcode: JbLpvA Dial-in by phone +1 715-318-2087,,180395167# United States, Eau Claire Find a local number Phone conference ID: 180 395 167# For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN Notice is hereby given, in the event the standing committee does not have a quorum, the County Board Chair or Vice Chair may act as an ex officio member (County ordinance, Chapter 3, section 2-3- 1(c)). Any person wishing to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodations should contact the Department of Human Services at 715-373-6144, extension 110, at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time so appropriate arrangements can be made. The agenda includes: Chairperson and Vice Chairperson elections; Approval of the October 2nd, 2023 draft meeting minutes; Review of November 28, 2023 meeting notes; Member terms; Member recruitment; Status of 2024 projects; Future meeting dates and times; Adjournment. cc: Post (bulletin board and website) Dennis Pocernich, County Board Chair Lynn Divine, County Clerk Human Services Board Elizabeth Skulan, BCDHS Director Management Staff Daily Press K:\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Meeting information\TCC meeting info 2024\2024-05-20 TCC meeting info\TCC Meeting Agenda 06-10-2024.docx 1 Department of Human Services 117 East Fifth Street P.O. Box 100 Washburn, WI 54891-0100 Telephone (715) 373-6144 Fax (715) 373-6130 Email: baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE RE: June 10, 2024 A&D Transportation Coordinating Committee Meeting Dear Committee Members: Please be advised that the next Transportation Coordinating Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 3:30pm in conference room A/lower level of the courthouse with remote access available via Microsoft Teams or telephone. Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 233 308 141 590 Passcode: JbLpvA Dial-in by phone +1 715-318-2087,,180395167# United States, Eau Claire Find a local number Phone conference ID: 180 395 167# For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN Notice is hereby given, in the event the standing committee does not have a quorum, the County Board Chair or Vice Chair may act as an ex officio member (County ordinance, Chapter 3, section 2-3-1 (c)). The agenda for the meeting is as follows: AGENDA 1. Call to order 2. Discussion and Possible Action – Nominations/election of Chairperson Carla Becker (Vice Chairman) Carrie Linder Perri Campbell Jeff Benton Sue Rosa Any person planning to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodations, should contact the Department of Human Services at 715-373-6144, at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time, so appropriate arrangements can be made. K:\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Meeting information\TCC meeting info 2024\2024-05-20 TCC meeting info\TCC Meeting Agenda 06-10-2024.docx 2 3. Discussion and Possible Action – Nominations/election of Vice Chairperson 4. Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the October 2nd, 2023 meeting minutes. 5. Review of November 28, 2023 meeting notes 6. Member Terms 7. Member Recruitment 8. Status of 2024 projects 9. Future meetings. 10. Motion or Chair Statement to Adjourn. Thank you! Sincerely, Carrie Linder Aging and Disability Services Manager c: Bayfield County DHS Transportation Coordinating Committee Members Mr. Mark Abeles Allison, County Administrator Bayfield County Department of Human Services Board Lynn Divine, Bayfield County Clerk Bayfield County Department of Human Services Managers \\Bayco-FS6\DHS\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Minutes\TCC minutes 2023\TCC meeting minutes-2023-10-02-draft.docx 1 BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE VIRTUAL MEETING 10/02/2023 3:00 – 4:00 PM Committee Members Present: Carla Becker, Mary Dougherty, Jeremy Oswald, Jeff Benton, Carrie Linder, Perri Campbell Staff/Others Present: Sarah Traaholt, Elizabeth Skulan, Pat Daoust Call to Order and Introductions Chairperson Dougherty called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM and introductions were made. Dougherty requested that items requiring action be addressed first. Linder suggested #5, #4 and lastly #3 agenda items be addressed in that order. No objections to the change in order by the group. 2. Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the August 16, 2023, meeting minutes Motion by Oswald, seconded by Benton, motion carried. 3. 2024-2028 Transportation Coordination Plan Presentation Linder called the committee’s attention to pages five through seven of the 2019-2023 Ashland, Bayfield and Price Counties Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Coordination Plan. Linder noted that the assessment of needs and gaps, and goals are where committee suggestions are needed to update the 2024- 2028 Transportation Coordination Plan. Linder tasked the committee to provide input about these items at the public meeting that will be held at the BART main office at 1:30 p.m. on November 6th. Committee members who are unable to attend November 6th should provide feedback to Linder so it can be shared at the meeting. Dougherty asked if the committee could help with any of the outreach. Linder stated that Sheldon with Northwest Regional planning is working on updating information and taking the lead on getting the word out. Linder will share the flyer as it is made available so others may share. 4. 2024 s85.21 Project Planning Linder reviewed items from the previous meeting. Linder had some concerns about how to fit them all in with local match for Door2Door. Linder states that DHS can provide up to a 25% match. However, ridership needs to be closely monitored. Elder and disabled population must have a usage in line with the percentage of funding to fulfill s85.21 grant obligations. Daoust reviewed federal and state funding that BART receives. Daoust is unsure what the allocation will be available to BART next year. Linder noted that Mark Ables-Allison, County Administrator, stated that if there is a funding gap, some ARPA funds may be available for one more year to see if this is a viable service for Bayfield County. Linder is unsure if two years of data has been enough to make this determination. More information is needed from Daoust. Linder noted that Bayfield County is looking at the Find Your Own Driver Program that has been implemented by a few counties in Wisconsin. This may be a way to backfill and create more comprehensive transportation options. DRAFT: Subject to change at the NEXT TCC meeting \\Bayco-FS6\DHS\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Minutes\TCC minutes 2023\TCC meeting minutes-2023-10-02-draft.docx 2 Linder has filled in while Transportation Coordinator, Michele Reiswig, is on vacation. Linder notes that Bayfield County doesn’t have a lot of volunteer drivers available currently and it is a process to contact the drivers and set up the logistics for participants. Linder was able to make connections for the riders who called but noted that finding your own driver may would eliminate some of that coordination by empowering the rider to get their needs met. Linder notes that conversations need to happen with corporation council on legalities before it moves forward. Dougherty liked the idea of expanding on the Find Your Own Driver Program. Dougherty notes that trust is often a barrier for requesting rides. Dougherty also states that a person without financial means would then have something to offer those they wish to ride with. The next TCC meeting will be the public hearing for the 85.21 grant application and will take place at 2:30 p.m., a half-hour prior to the A&D Advisory Committee at 3:00 on November 28th. Meetings cannot be held concurrently, so Linder asked committee members to check their calendars for availability. 5. Discussion and Possible Action-Review and possible recommendation of Door2Door (D2D) replacement vehicle Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) has placed an order for an electric twelve passenger transit van to be used for the D2D project. Van is expected to be delivered in 2024. Daoust reviewed specs of the van and answered questions posed by the committee. Linder notes that a portion of the local share can be covered but questioned if the vehicle suited the needs of operating D2D. Becker stated that it doesn’t necessarily make sense to have a larger vehicle especially when considering the rural communities of Bayfield County, however, having electric vehicle would be a huge asset for the many miles that will be needed. Becker shared with the group that Pathways Transport is closing as of Friday. Becker anticipates that since Pathways is closing it is a possibility that D2D may get busier. Linder notes that the portion of the ridership for medical appointments if Medicaid is involved would fall to Veyo. Total match for this purchase is $21,975. Bayfield County discussed contributing $15,000 as this is what the match would be if a van was ordered. Linder is asking the Transportation Coordination Committee for recommendation for $15,000 to be used from the trust fund to be used towards the D2D replacement van. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Benton, motion carried. Linder will take the recommendation, along with required information on the vehicle, from the Committee to the DOT for final review and approval. Oswald questioned when the replacement van is expected to arrive. Daoust noted it is a 2024 model year and is unsure at this point but is not expecting a delay like the electric bus. It should be delivered in 2024, pending the strike. Future Meeting Date - Linder stated representation at the public input and public hearing meetings is needed. Linder notes that the Transportation Coordination Committee group will not need to meet again as a group before the two upcoming November meetings as long as information is reviewed independently, and feedback is provided. Public Input Meeting – November 6th, 2023, 1:30 p.m. at BART main office. \\Bayco-FS6\DHS\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Minutes\TCC minutes 2023\TCC meeting minutes-2023-10-02-draft.docx 3 Public Hearing - November 28th, 2023, 2:30 p.m. Bayfield County. ADAC meeting to follow at 3:00 p.m. Adjournment- Meeting adjourned by Dougherty at 3:43 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Sarah Traaholt. K:\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Minutes\TCC minutes 2023\TCC meeting notes (includes Fair Hearing for 2024 Department of Transportation Application) 11 28 2023-draft.docx 1 BAYFIELD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING ON 2024 TRANSPORTATION GRANT (S85.21) VIRTUAL MEETING NOTES November 28, 2023 Committee Members Present: Jeff Benton, Perri Campbell Committee Members Absent: Carl Becker, Mary Dougherty, Jeremy Oswald, Carrie Linder Staff/Others Present: Sarah Traaholt, Elizabeth Skulan, Cable Citizen Susan Rosa Call to Order and Introductions Due to a lack of quorum, the meeting was not called to order and no action was taken. Discussion and Possible Action – Review and approval of the October 2, 2023, meeting minutes Due to a lack of quorum, the minutes were not approved. Open the Floor to Public Comment for Public Hearing on the 2024 s85.21 Transportation Grant Application, Opportunity for Public Comment, and Close the Floor to Public Comment for the Public Hearing. Due to a lack of quorum, the floor was not formally opened or closed for public comment. However, the committee members present asked Susan Rosa, who planned to testify during the Public Hearing, to present her input. Rosa spoke of her participation on a committee in Cable that is working to reduce social isolation for seniors in the Cable area. Rosa reported the group is working with Aging and Disability Services Manager Carrie Linder, to open a congregate meal site in Cable. The group would also like to coordinate other activities that would take place around the time congregate meals are served to promote socialization. Rosa identified transportation as a barrier to some seniors who would otherwise attend meals and/or other community events. She asked that the TCC to consider adding a project to provide transportation to Cable seniors to the congregate meals and any related events in the future. Rosa also asked committee members to consider providing the transportation without charge. Some discussion followed about whether Cable seniors could use the Door2Door Transportation project, which is currently underutilized, to attend congregate meals and events. The individuals present thanked Rosa for her input. Approve the 2024 s85.21 Transportation Grant Application Due to a lack of quorum, the grant application was not approved. Committee members present indicated their desire to forward the 2024 s85. 21 Transportation Grant Application to the Human Services Board for their approval at their next meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. K:\Agendas and Minutes\Transportation Coord Committee\TCC Minutes\TCC minutes 2023\TCC meeting notes (includes Fair Hearing for 2024 Department of Transportation Application) 11 28 2023-draft.docx 2 Future Meeting Date - No date for the next TCC meeting has been identified. The meeting ended at 3:05 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Skulan 1 Committee Membership Every county and some regions have committees that focus on transportation, access and/or mobility. Many are called Transportation Coordinating Committees and can be stand-alone committees, or a subcommittee, an advisory council or taskforce to the Aging or ADRC Commission or Human Services Board. These committees are critical for counties and/or regions to focus on transportation and mobility issues as needs continue to increase and funding diminishes. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Administrative Rule Trans 2* (Appendix A) outlines the composition of the committee that is required to review state (85.21) and federal (5310) grant proposals. In recent years, WisDOT has changed the language about committee review of the 85.21 grant; however, they continue to require coordination. (see Appendix B for the grant language) Although a committee is required, committee composition is not expressly noted except for the required participation by county board, county aging unit, department of social or human services, board created under s. 51.42 or 51.437 (Appendix C), transportation providers and citizen advocates as outlines in Trans2. If structured appropriately, this committee can also function to meet the federal coordination requirements for federal transportation grant programs. Transportation coordination is mandated by certain federal funding programs, 5310 – Capital Assistance*, 5316 – JARC* (employment), and 5317-New Freedom*, and requires a committee of diverse stakeholders as outlined in FTA Circular 9045 Chapter V Section 3 (Appendix D)*. This guidance requires including public, private and non-profit providers and members of the public who can provide insights of the local transportation needs. It is important that stakeholders be included in the development and implementation of the local coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan. A county can have one committee that meets both the state and federal requirements therefore positioning the county or region for additional grant funding and opening the dialogue to a wider group of potential partners. *Federal legislation Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, MAP-21 was passed in 2012. This repealed the 5316 and 5317 programs and incorporated them into the 5310 and 5307/5311 programs respectively. Due to these changes, state administrative code will have to be updated. As of May 2013, updated federal and state guidance are not available to use in this document. 2 Communities do not need to include all of the groups listed in the Federal guidance and may include others not listed. Committee composition should be determined based on the needs of the community. Participation will vary depending on demographics, geographic location, service needs and what services are already provided. It is important to consider committee membership carefully to create an effective committee. You do not want to leave out an agency or partner that has the potential to bring ideas, resources or funding to the table. There can be stakeholders who will be great committee members who hold contracts with others on the committee or the host agency. In most cases, this should not prevent their membership on the committee, but the committee should discuss what constitutes a conflict of interest and when abstaining from voting is appropriate. (see Appendix E for a sample conflict of interest policy) Committee Composition - Who needs to be involved and what can they bring to the table? When assessing the membership of your committee, ask yourself who is already in the conversation about transportation, what are the needs in your community – if known, is there someone working on solving them already and who should be included when looking at future projects and financial support. Below is an extensive list of partners, some who have been key partners in several communities and will get you thinking outside the bus. Some agencies or representatives can be listed in more than one category or can be classified in other ways than listed here which gives you additional flexibility for appointments. Human Services Representation Agencies representing - seniors, individuals with disabilities, low income individuals, displaced workers, homeless individuals, veterans Food pantries Prison or detention centers or half-way houses 3 Department of Human Services Tribes Public Health Departments Independent Living Centers Community Action Programs Development or rehabilitation centers Salvation Army Red Cross United Way Medical and Healthcare Representation Nursing homes Assisted living facilities Hospitals or medical services facilities Dental clinics Mental health facilities In home care agencies Nurses association Dialysis centers Ambulance/emergency personnel American Cancer Society Education Representation Public School supplemental, transportation, transition or disability services departments Private or parochial schools Community colleges, technical schools, vocational training centers English as a second language ESL programs Literacy groups or programs Head Start programs Employment and Job Training Representation Independent Living Centers 4 Senior Employment Programs (Title V) Unemployment offices Job Centers Staffing agencies Employers, particularly those with shift workers, or with parking issues Convention and Visitors Bureau, tourism offices Workforce development council Chamber of Commerce Economic development council Business owners and associations Larger stores and businesses, Transportation Representation Public Transit – shared ride taxi, fixed route bus or paratransit systems Aging buses – county or tribal Volunteer/escort driver Disabled Americans Veterans van (DAV) or Veterans Service Officer (VSO) School or Head Start buses Private transportation companies – SMV, taxi, human services Casino buses Non-profit transportation (ie. sheltered workshop or day center transportation provided by the agency) Ambulance Charter or intercity bus companies Airport shuttles Government Representation County board member Court or probation services City and County law enforcement (public safety) Mayors, Township supervisors or appointees Municipal government Regional or metropolitan planning organizations 5 Tribal leaders Legislators Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Highway Department Public Works Municipal or county planning departments Housing and Urban Development Additional Stakeholders Local media – newspaper, radio, television Community foundations Realtors (houses in an area with transit options tend to sell better) Community leaders Education groups – retired teachers association Religious leaders – Gamaliel/WISDOM local chapters like Ester and Joshua, local churches Regional entities – surrounding county transportation committee or board members Service groups – Rotary, Lions, Elks, Women’s leagues Veterans groups - VFW, Disabled Americans Veterans DAV Insurance agents AODA programs or support groups (NAMI) Other groups – YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs (often have vehicles), sustainability groups, bike or pedestrian clubs (Remember, you may be talking about improving mobility so that can include other modes of transportation like pedestrian paths to get to public transportation, or improved bike routes). Below are additional questions to ask as you evaluate your committee composition. ✓ Where do people need to go for life sustaining appointments or needs? Life enriching activities? o Consider these potential partners. ✓ Do you have good geographic representation? ✓ Do you have diverse social and economic representation? 6 ✓ Do you have committee members who are the decision makers for their company or agency? ✓ Do you have sufficient parking and access to the building for committee members to easily attend your meetings? ✓ Are there colleges or technical schools in your area who can benefit from increased transportation to draw more students or help the ones already enrolled? ✓ Are there parking needs that cannot be met by expansion of existing parking? Would incentivizing transit be a new way to address this issue? ✓ Do you have similar issues or needs as surrounding counties? o You may consider forming a regional committee as subcommittee assignment for one of your committee members if a regional committee exists. If there isn’t one, gauge interest and generate excitement and start meeting. Committees are the workhorses of board governance. In small and large AAAs alike, committees “keep subjects under review, focus the board on those things that need attention, and make constructive recommendations for board action.” (Howe, 1995) How to approach changing membership in your committee Many counties formed transportation committees (often referred to as Transportation Coordinating Committees) by resolution and included them in county ordinance in accordance to WI Administrative Rule Trans 2.10 in the early 1980s. It may be worth revisiting the ordinance that many counties have photocopied for many years to include in the 85.21 grant application. Many are mimeographed and not even in electronic form because they have not been updated since they were first written. If your county is looking at streamlining its committee structure, make sure this committee is not on the chopping block so supervisors can still be appointed and paid per diems for serving on the committee. The county may not understand the statutory requirement or know about the newly required coordination mandate for federal grants. Transportation has changed a great deal over the last 20 years. Your committee may need to be updated as well. Are you experiencing budget or staffing issues in your transportation program? Has the county just restructured or updated other committees? Has your county just formed an ADRC or transferred the transportation program to another department? Have your transportation services changed substantially recently either due to the Medicaid brokerage, Family Care implementation or other program changes? Take this opportunity to restructure or reinvigorate your committee to actively work on mobility issues and not just rubber stamp 7 grant applications. It is also a good time to educate your county board, municipal leaders, and administrators on the importance of the work of this committee and local transportation programs. You may experience resistance to changing or implementing new policies or term limits. Below are some tips that may help in this process. • Educate. Provide information to your current committee on the new coordination requirements and funding implications. Site guidance and statutes to support your case. Discuss your coordination plan, give examples of new programs from surrounding counties, illustrate the needs in your community, explain the funding you already receive and highlight your successes. • Explain why you need to institute policies, like attendance, or set term limits. The explanation can be as simple as the need to be consistent with other county committees. • Ask the committee for their feedback and input on any changes. It may help to have a proposal for them to review prior to the meeting. If you can, be flexible and allow for changes based on their input. • Include as many current members as possible if redefining the committee membership (for example, a transportation provider member can be a non-profit or sheltered workshop that does substantial transportation) IF you view their continued participation as essential. • Hold an expanded meeting with stakeholders to discuss changes to the committee. Your list from your coordination planning process can be a good start. You can use this meeting to present the changes or as a venue for additional input. Consider sending a letter prior to scheduling a meeting to gauge the level of interest. • Keep your corporation counsel, county board supervisors, and municipal leaders informed during this process. This can get added buy-in and awareness of transportation issues. It is likely you will have to draft a new resolution and ordinance to officially change the committee structure and/or function. • Make a big deal about the committee – it is a big deal! You are addressing issues and solving problems to help people stay healthy, keep them out of institutions and contributing members to the local economy. • Bring in a consultant or “expert” from the outside to facilitate these often difficult conversations so that staff or committee members do not have to jeopardize their relationships with members of the committee. This can be a committee member from another county. 8 • Food is always good to have if you are able to provide it. Try to get a sponsor for the food if it is allowable and you can find someone willing. Make sure to thank them publically if they do contribute. This may be an ongoing process. You may not need to make major changes all at once. It is about building and creating a stronger board and that often takes time to accomplish. Job Descriptions/Term limits For any board or committee, it is good practice to have job descriptions for members. Job descriptions give members direction about their involvement in the committee and tell them in writing what their responsibilities are. Position descriptions can be used as a tool to help members become more effective, or if necessary, when a member should resign. Remember, for most committees, members are volunteering their time and this should be considered when creating a job description. Sample general volunteer and transportation committee job descriptions are found in Appendix G. Setting term limits is another good practice. This does several things for your committee. It serves to refresh the committee by getting new members, helps with recruitment - new recruits may only want to commit for 2-3 years and not the dubious “for-life”, allows members to step away from the committee comfortably when they feel they can no longer serve the committee effectively or commit to another term and helps to naturally rotate board members who are burned out or not doing a good job. People may be more apt to serve knowing their time in office has an expiration date. A new board chair or member can bring fresh contacts to the table. Having new chairs forces the organization to develop new leaders. It leads to healthier boards and also builds a base of community support that knows about transportation and mobility issues and can support you even when they are no longer on the committee. If your committee really needs a make-over, don’t let the worry about not being able to find someone to fill a vacancy stop you. This is a very real concern for many boards and committees, but it shouldn’t keep you from making improvements. It will take time, but you will find people to fill openings and the more effective your board becomes, the more it will attract quality committee members. For those who are leaving the committee, or not able to be appointed after a restructure, it does not mean the relationship with the organization has to end. You can work together with the former member to find new ways to stay connected and involved. 9 Recruiting members Your bylaws should address how members are recruited, nominated and appointed to the committee. Some members are appointed by the county executive, most need county board approval but either way, they usually request suggestions from the committee. You may consider having a nominating committee or allow any active member to nominate someone for membership. Committee openings are frequently posted somewhere within county buildings, on the website and are regularly submitted to the newspaper for advertising. There are many other opportunities to post committee openings such as on the public transit systems, board connections website – dedicated to recruiting board members, or through the United Way or other volunteer organization. If you have just restructured your committee, you may consider additional advertising to highlight the committee and the new opportunity for leadership. There are many highly qualified retirees that are looking for ways to make a difference, so make sure your advertising or marketing is appealing and reflects what the committee does and what the individual can get out of the volunteer opportunity. In most counties, individuals interested in committee positions must fill out an application which goes through a review and an interview by a board. Some conduct reference or character checks on the individuals prior to appointment. When looking for effective committee members, consider the qualities below that work well for committee appointees. Other things to consider when selecting committee members: The individual… o has an interest and believes in the committee mission and goals o questions, not just rubber-stamps, results-oriented. What makes a good board member? According to BoardSource, a national organization of nonprofit leaders, ―It takes more than just a commitment. Collectively, it is normal and advantageous for board members to bring to the table some extra qualities. Beyond commitment, some of the best attributes are: Passion Knowledge, skills and expertise Ability to network Dedication to learning Courage of conviction Enthusiasm Flexibility Sense of humor Reprinted with permission from boardsource.org. BoardSource, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards, is the premier resource for practical information, tools, and training for board members and chief executives of nonprofit organizations worldwide. For more, visit www.boardsource.org or call 800-883-6262. BoardSource © 2012. Text may not be reproduced without written permission from BoardSource. 10 o acts with integrity o effectively participates in a committee setting o is a good listener who gets along with others even if opinions differ o has knowledge and experience in the program area o has professional skills o carries prestige or clout in the community o holds a strong interest in the health, safety and wellbeing of target populations o is not be in a position that could constitute a conflict of interest The following are reasonable expectations of committee members. • Attend regularly scheduled meetings and participate in any standing or ad hoc committees. • Review meeting materials prior to the meeting and participate in discussions of agenda items. • Request additional information or training about any issues, program, policy or procedure that may be unclear. • Participate in training, informal meetings, seminars, hearings, conventions, etc., available to committee members. • Identify unmet needs or barriers to services of the target populations and share this information with the committee. • Advocate on behalf of transportation programs, services and consumers. • Seek out and encourage input from stakeholders outside the committee concerned about the target populations. Written by Carrie Porter, Transportation Specialist, Greater WI Agency on Aging Resources Carrie.porter@gwaar.org, 608-228-8092 Additional Resources: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center, Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transportation (ICCT) resources found at http://www.iira.org/outreach/rtac.asp Works Cited Howe, F. (1995). Welcome to the Board: Your Guide to Effective Participation. San Fransisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Revised 6/27/2013