CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUPS (1997, 2012, name update 2022) 

The League of Women Voters of Arlington and Alexandria City strongly supports the use  of citizen advisory groups by the Arlington County Board and Alexandria City Council and their respective School  Boards.  To make the groups as effective as possible, the League  supports: 

1. Appointing members to groups only after appointees have been advised by their group chair of their responsibilities and have acknowledged an understanding of the role they are undertaking. 

2. Involving the County Board/City Council  and/or the School Board more directly in the orientation of group members. 

3. Maintaining a current handbook for orientation of group members.

4. Consolidating and making consistent the policy documents  concerning groups. 

5. Meeting, at least annually, of the group chairs with the County Board/City Council and/or School Board for dialogue with the board and each other. 

6. Ensuring that the roles of the staff coordinators are clearly understood. 

7. Appointing staff and/or volunteers as facilitators of the groups for coordination and interaction and ensuring access to relevant data. 

8. Evaluating all groups periodically to ensure that they are meeting  the needs of the County Board/City Council and/or School Boards.