Leadership committee debates tighter attendance rules, limits on remote participation

The Community Board Leadership Committee discussed proposed bylaw revisions on June 18 that would tighten attendance standards and limit remote participation.

Board members reviewed language that would treat more than three unexcused absences — or three total absences from full-board meetings — as grounds to initiate removal proceedings. The draft also would cap remote attendance at two meetings per calendar year; any additional remote participation would be classified as unexcused unless otherwise defined in board rules.

The proposal drew mixed reactions from members who said the current language was ambiguous about whether removal proceedings originate at the committee level or from the full board. One member said the wording is "ambiguous enough to be whatever," and others urged clearer, stepwise procedures (for example, committee-level warning before full-board removal). The committee agreed to leave the substantive change for consideration by the full board after clarifying exactly how initiation of proceedings would work and where remote participation exceptions, if any, would apply.

Members also discussed operational details that would follow any bylaw change: how remote attendance would be recorded, how to define "unexcused," and what notice would be required before initiating any formal action. No formal vote was taken; leaders said they will circulate revised text and plan to present the updated language at the next full-board meeting for approval.

If adopted, the change would alter how attendance affects member standing and eligibility for committee service. The committee did not set a final deadline for the full-board vote but agreed to return a clarified draft to the board for consideration once staff and counsel confirm the procedural implications.

The committee moved on to other agenda items with the bylaw revisions to be reintroduced at the full-board meeting.