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Committee discusses 75% attendance standard for volunteer committees
Summary
The Multimodal Safety Committee reviewed a proposed attendance policy that would require 75% attendance for volunteer committee members; members asked for clearer procedures, joint decision-making between the recorder's office and the committee chair, and flexibility for excused absences.
Committee members reviewed a proposed attendance policy from the Volunteer Coordinating Committee that would set a 75% attendance requirement for committee members.
A staff representative explained the rationale: some committees meet infrequently and a percentage-based threshold helps account for differing meeting schedules. "We've had some absenteeism issues," the staff member said, and the volunteer coordinating committee drafted five suggested policy points for committee feedback.
David recommended clarifying decision authority for enforcement. "Any decisions will be decided jointly with the committee chair," he said, arguing that the chair should be involved in follow-up when a member falls below the threshold. Other members emphasized the need for flexibility and excused absences for medical or family emergencies.
Members noted that the 75% requirement is already included in the resolutions establishing many committees and that the current conversation is about creating a clear, consistent procedure for how to respond when attendance falls below that threshold.
The committee provided feedback rather than taking a formal vote; staff said no motion was required and asked for input to inform a uniform policy the Volunteer Coordinating Committee can recommend to the council.
Next steps: staff will collect committee comments and the Volunteer Coordinating Committee will refine language for consistent application across committees. The committee signaled general support for the approach while seeking simple, clear language about who implements attendance decisions and how excused absences are handled.
