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LDS participating with non-voting rights in Local Council Meetings
Luki Development Society
Background
When it was founded in 1996, The Luki Development Society (LDS) was the first and only non-profit organization in Luki Municipality. Serving on its Managing Board were people of considerable experience Local Councilors and Heads of City departments. At the end of 1996, the LDS Chairperson presented the Society to the Local Councilors and suggested that LDS should become a non-voting member of the Council. Mayor Manov, speaking for the City Administration, endorsed the idea, emphasizing the great role of the tertiary sector in the development of civil society. The Council then voted unanimously to co-opt an LDS representative as a non-voting member, which meant that the Society could voice opinions, table memoranda and propose decisions.
When it was founded in 1996, The Luki Development Society (LDS) was the first and only non-profit organization in Luki Municipality. Serving on its Managing Board were people of considerable experience Local Councilors and Heads of City departments. At the end of 1996, the LDS Chairperson presented the Society to the Local Councilors and suggested that LDS should become a non-voting member of the Council. Mayor Manov, speaking for the City Administration, endorsed the idea, emphasizing the great role of the tertiary sector in the development of civil society. The Council then voted unanimously to co-opt an LDS representative as a non-voting member, which meant that the Society could voice opinions, table memoranda and propose decisions.
Practice
During the last two years, LDS has made ample use of its rights in the Council but always, having first surveyed local public opinion on the issues at hand. Those have included local crime, the City s budget, the local education system, local taxes, and the results have been presented to the Councilors and the administration at Council sessions.
LDS has also tabled various memoranda in the Council, including: a proposal for Luki Municipality to join the Society; a proposal for joint action to help reduce juvenile delinquency; a proposal for a day-care facility, to be set up jointly with the Social Prospect Center, for children from underprivileged families; a debate on the City s involvement as a founding member of a Local Tourist Board, and on a framework program for tourist promotion.
The record of the last two years can be summarized as follows:
Luki Municipality became the first associate member of The Luki Development Society
Luki Municipality became one of the founding members of the Local Tourist Board
Ahead of every Council session, LDS receives the relevant working documents, and subsequently, copies of all resolutions; an LDS representative being a regular participant in all Council meetings
The Society and the City made an arrangement for weekly conferences to discuss current issues, make joint proposals, launch joint projects
The local public is being informed about the Council s work by the amateur TV broadcasting channel sponsored by the Society
During the last two years, LDS has made ample use of its rights in the Council but always, having first surveyed local public opinion on the issues at hand. Those have included local crime, the City s budget, the local education system, local taxes, and the results have been presented to the Councilors and the administration at Council sessions.
LDS has also tabled various memoranda in the Council, including: a proposal for Luki Municipality to join the Society; a proposal for joint action to help reduce juvenile delinquency; a proposal for a day-care facility, to be set up jointly with the Social Prospect Center, for children from underprivileged families; a debate on the City s involvement as a founding member of a Local Tourist Board, and on a framework program for tourist promotion.
The record of the last two years can be summarized as follows:
Luki Municipality became the first associate member of The Luki Development Society
Luki Municipality became one of the founding members of the Local Tourist Board
Ahead of every Council session, LDS receives the relevant working documents, and subsequently, copies of all resolutions; an LDS representative being a regular participant in all Council meetings
The Society and the City made an arrangement for weekly conferences to discuss current issues, make joint proposals, launch joint projects
The local public is being informed about the Council s work by the amateur TV broadcasting channel sponsored by the Society
Results
Non-profit organizations have access to special information which could be of great use to the Local Council and the Local Administration. One way to channel such information to the City is by the non-voting participation of non-profit organizations in Council work. The channel becomes a two-way one, allowing greater public access to the local government and a dialog between the public and the authorities to benefit the community at large.
Non-profit organizations have access to special information which could be of great use to the Local Council and the Local Administration. One way to channel such information to the City is by the non-voting participation of non-profit organizations in Council work. The channel becomes a two-way one, allowing greater public access to the local government and a dialog between the public and the authorities to benefit the community at large.
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