ပှၤဟ့ၣ်ကူၣ်တၢ်အကမံးတံာ်မိၢ်ပှၢ်

Advisory boards consist of a representative group of stakeholders that are appointed to provide comments and advice on projects and issues related to a broad topic area. Some of the Advisory Boards in Tompkins County include the Environmental Management Council, Public Information Advisory Board, and the Board of Health. Boards generally meet on a regular schedule over a period of time to develop a detailed knowledge of the project and issues and to share their relevant perspectives, ideas, concerns, and interests. Boards often work to identify areas of common ground and/or consensus recommendations. Board members are usually appointed to one- to four-year terms, depending on the by-laws of the specific advisory board.

Advantages

Provides broad-based input into planning and decision-making from a range of stakeholder interests that are affected by a proposal or issue.
May work over time to generate in-depth knowledge and ownership of a project or issue in a way that less intensive efforts cannot achieve.
Allows for the in-depth and focused involvement and input of a wide range of stakeholders.
Allows for development of consensus (where achievable) and detailed recommendations for action on complex issues that affect the broader community.
Allows for in-depth understanding of project issues among stakeholders represented on the board.
Provides opportunities for exploring alternative strategies and building on commonalities and alliances.
Provides for a detailed analysis of project issues, timelines and deliverables and a focus on the outcomes.
Enables participants to gain an understanding of other perspectives leading toward common ground for recommendations.

Challenges to Consider

Convening must be done in such a way as to result in a fair and balanced group that is widely perceived to represent the community at large.
The range of interests must be broad enough to represent all those affected, and members must possess the relevant background and skills to assist in addressing the problem at hand.
Boards must be provided a meaningful role in the decision process and should not be viewed as a rubber stamp.
Participants must be willing to work together on a common challenge.
A clear mission, charter, and ground rules need to be agreed to by all members.
It is not always possible to achieve consensus.
Can be very time and labor intensive if the issue is significant.

Principles for Successful Planning

Conduct a thorough stakeholder analysis and convene the board such that all relevant community interests are fairly represented in its membership.
Select a strong chairperson who understands good process.
Set expectations to ensure that members continually communicate with their constituents to keep the larger community informed and engaged throughout the process.
Do not rush the process, it takes time for board members to build relationships and trust and become fully informed enough about the project in order to develop meaningful results.
Maintain regular contact between board activities and the broader community; seek opportunities for broader public interaction with the board.
Record decisions and keep a running summary of board deliberations, make sure all decisions are supported by a clear and detailed rationale to share with the broader public.

Staffing

Facilitator
Administrative and logistical support
Technical project support to develop briefing papers and information

Materials

Regular meeting venues
Briefing books, presentations and materials

Planning Time

May take several months to identify, invite, and confirm members.
Well functioning advisory boards require a great deal of time and effort to prepare for each meeting.

Implementation Time

Advisory boards generally meet once per month for several hours.
It generally takes 12 to 18 months for most boards to address issues and develop recommendations; complex and controversial projects can take significantly longer.