Carlisle commission discusses adding attendance rules and replacement process for nonparticipating members

The Carlisle Human Relations Commission discussed amending its bylaws to clarify attendance requirements and to create a procedure for replacing commissioners who do not participate, and assigned staff follow-up tasks to gather additional information.

Commission President Mackenzie Clark opened discussion by asking whether members had located attendance rules in the current bylaws. Commissioners reported the bylaws do not specify attendance requirements.

Amy, a borough staff member, said she would send the commission a copy of the bylaws for review. "I need to send you those bylaws because there is nothing in there that really specifies attendance requirements, so you would need to change them," Amy said. Commissioners asked staff to check whether other borough commissions have attendance parameters that could be used as a model.

The commission identified specific follow-ups: staff will circulate the bylaws, research attendance policies used by other commissions, and commissioners will reach out to nonparticipating members. Members named two people they planned to contact about participation: Carlos (a commissioner whose term was reported to expire in February) and Michael Shanaman (alternate). Commissioners agreed to table formal bylaw changes until the group reviews the circulated bylaws and sees whether a simple majority or a higher threshold is required for amendments.

Members also discussed timing of terms and the need to appoint an alternate if an existing alternate or full member steps into a vacated seat. The commission tabled further action to the next meeting pending staff follow-up and the circulated bylaws.

No formal motions to change the bylaws were made; the meeting produced direction to staff and outreach to nonattending members.