List,
As I watch the municipal elections from a far, -- an unusual and welcomed position for me - I am inspired to ask a slightly different question. Beyond a specific stand on an issue, or ideological opinions - what are the basic skills necessary to be an effective council member? Rather than reflecting on the differentiating attributes of this candidate or another - what in fact do people feel are the job qualification for the position of Council Member? What are the skills that a person needs to be effective in fulfilling the responsibilities of a council member? A sample list to start with: - Responsiveness: Return phone calls? Follow up to emails? Respond to letters? Explain votes when asked? - Reading Comprehension: Ability to read and understand material before the council? - Attendance: Attending Council Meetings? Attending Committee Meetings? Attending Community meetings? Show up on time? - Listening skills: Ability to understand someone else's perspective? Ability to respect another person without agreeing with them? - Communication: Ability to articulate a position on an issue? Ability to clearly communicate a policy objective? - Constituent Service Skills? Manage an office which tracks and follow-ups on issues? Manage staff in a positive way? - Policy Understanding: Basic understanding of policy? Understanding of what are the departments of the city? Understanding of the different independent boards and who does what? - Team Skills: Ability to work with the other council members in a manner that results in advocated positions to be supported? - Work Ethic: Make resolutions? Make policy recommendations? Actively participate in the development of budgets? What do you think? Why? Clearly some of these are more important then others - assume there were two candidates who you liked equally well, both had stands on issues that were exactly to yours. Now assume you wanted to add to the mix how effective the will be as a Council Member - what are the specific basic skills needed? Thanks for your thoughts. Joseph Barisonzi Wondering in Willard-Hay [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612-518-5536 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
