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Home My WebLink AboutTCAT Seeks Advisory Board Applicants 11.1.2006.PDFSOLIDATED AREA TRANSIT WendySkinner . [,,,i',j ,1?006 Communications and Marketing Mand$er i L! 607-277-9388 x560 ws1@tcatmail.com ' lrjl | ,l,.l ri. - i.\ I t' ' - t,'.: : Information on buses and route3: 607.-277-RIDE TDDITTY: 607-277-9766 Ffix:607-277-9551 TCAT, Inc.737 Willow Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850 www.tcatbus.com TCAT Seeks Advisory Board Applicants TCAT is seeking recommendations and referrals of citizens who may be interested in serving on the TCAT Transit Advisory Group. TCAT's goal is to bring together a diverse group that includes representation reflective of our community and that will provide us with relevant, valuable input on ways we can impr"ove our services and grow as a public transit provider. A description of this new group is attached. I hope you will review it, and - if someone comes to mind who may be a good fit - please refer them to me, or send me contact information and I willfollow up. Information about the advisory group is also posted on the TCAT homepage, www.tcatbus.com, Your help is appreciated! Best Regards, ws1@tcatmail.com tl U Enclosures fr --*'; k: AREA TRI\I{$IT 737 Willow Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850 www.tcatbus.com Administration 607-277-9388 Bus lnformation 607-277-RIDETDD/rrY 607-277-9766FAX 607-277-9551 PLEASE FAX OR MAIL THIS APPLICATION TO: Marketing Manager, TCAT FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 277-9388, extension 560 TCAT ADVISORY GROUP - APPLICATION FORM NAME TODAY'S DATE TOWN AND COUNTY OF RESIDENCE MAILING ADDRESS DAYTIME PHONE EVENING PHONE E-MAIL ADDRESS occuPATroN/RoLE EM PLOYER/O RGAN tZATt ON WHY WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ON THE TCAT ADVISORY GROUP? WHAT INTERESTS OR STRENGTHS WILL YOU BRING TO THE ADVISORY GROUP? DO YOU FEEL YOU REPRESENT A COMMUNITY CONSTITUENCY OR POINT-OF-VIEW? (For example, senior citizen, business professional, person of color, person with a disability, rural commuter, youth, etc.) PLEASE EXPLAIN. THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP ASSURE A DIVERSE GROUP. PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING How often do you use TCAT as your transportation choice? - Frequently - Sometimes - Seldom - Never - Wbuld if it wqre more convenient When was the last time vou rode a TCAT bus? lf you ride TCAT, what is the purpose of your trip? Okay to check more than one answer. _ Commute to work _ Shopping/entertainment _ Go to meetings _ Family transportation _ Transport bicycle _ Other (please explain) PLEASE LIST TWO REFERENCES NAME NAME PHONE/E-MA|L PHONE/E-MAIL MEETING TIME PREFERRED: LUNCHTIME M-F EVENING (5 pm) M-F ANY SPECIAL NEEDS OR ACCOMMODATIONS? ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW? NOTES: R.EN.EWED UIiITIL: NIGHT (7 pm) M-F FOR TCAT USE ONLY TfC*n: ------ 7-year,: 2-year I END DATE: Description and Guidelines TCAT Transit Advisory Group PURPOSE To provide an ongoing formal means for a diverse group of interested citizens to learn about, and offer relevant suggestions for improvements to, TCAI's public transportation services. To build allies in the community through mutual education and to develop a broader view of transportation and the com- munity as a whole. ADVISEES TCAT management and supervisory staff ADVISORS Panel of diverse residents including regular TCAT riders. It is intended that members be citizens with a genuine interest in public transit and TCAT. Members should have no existing connection to TCAI, e.g. as employees, family members, Board of Directors members, TCAT union members or officials, or any- one who holds a political office or professional position that is directly connected with TCAT's funding or govemance. OBJECTIVES TCAT 'To educate and regularly informthe advisory group about TCAI's operations, funding, vision etc. in order to help assure relevant, valuable input; . To listen to and discuss advisory group input; 'To supply requested information, within staffing capabilities and as appropriate ' To apply a good faith effort to implement suggestions that are feasible, affordable, and that TCAT management believes will result in genuine improvements to TCAI service, operations, public image, community parbrerships, planning etc. Advisory Group ' To become informed about TCAI's operations, funding, vision etc. and to request information as needed; ' To provide relevant, valuable input of interest to the group and rcAr; . To offer suggestions for improvements; v!. To seek and convey input from other community members; STRUCTURE Seats Tbrms 20 maximum Z-yearc, staggered, renewable Appointment Majority vote of TCATBoard SUGGESTED REPRESEIITATION (more than one athibute may be found in a single individual) 3 - 4 riders (rural, suburban, and urban) 2-3businesscommunity 1 - 2 youth (age 15- 21) 3 - 4higher education community 1-2ADAcommunity 1 media/communications/marketing professional I tourism professional | - 2 akernative transportation planner/advocate 1 - 2 low-income/human services planner/advocate Remainder: At large RECRUITMENT TCAT will recruitAdvisory group members publicly and through community networks with a goal of building a group that includes diverse demographic and socio-economic backgrounds. In addition, TCAT Board members, stafi and others associated with TCAT may refer prospective applicants. OPERATIONAL MODEL The group will follow a set of principles including having a diverse, broad-based representation and be- ing open to all points of view. Topics for discussion may be introduced by group members, TCAT staff, TCAT Board members, or members of the public. The advisory group may request information about TCAT. As far as possible, the information will be promptly provided and will follow the general prin- ciples of New York State's Freedom of Information Law. Requests for information beyond that already prepared will be subject to staffavailability and resources. Topics for discussion must meet a standard of relevance and suitability established by consensus of the advisory group and by TCAT. TCAT reserves the right to refer certain discussions to the TCAT Board or internal management staff. ADVISORYROLE The TCAIAdvisory Group will have an advisory role only. While TCAT will apply a good faith efifort to implement suggestions that receive the group's consensus, TCAT is under no obligation to do so. DECISION MAKING It is assumed that most decisions will be made by consensus. If a vote is necessary, the group will follow Roberts Rules of Order and/or bvlaws. if thev are established. SPOKESPERSON The Advisory Group will be asked to select achair or spokesperson who will have the group's consent to speak to the media or the public on its behalf. If other members make public statements regarding TCAI, they should do so as individuals and not on behalf of theAdvisory Group. ADMIMSTRATIVE SUPPORT TCAT will provide adequate staffhours, meeting space, materials etc. to support the advisory group. Agendas and meeting announcements will go out in a timely maffler, and minutes willbe taken and dis- tributed to all members and staffattendees. TCAI management staffwill placaahigh priority on attend- ing advisory group meetings. The Marketing Manager will coordinate and facilitate the meetings. MEETING SCHEDULE The group will be asked to meet monthly for the first three months and bi-monthly thereafter, unless a more frequent meeting schedule is desired by the group. Meetings will be l%to 2 hours in length, held at a time and place that accommodates the most members. ATTENDANCE Advisory group members will receive timely reminders of meetings and will be asked to RSVP. If a member has three unexcused consecutive absences, a letter will be sent asking if they intend to remain on the group. Four unexcused absences will result in the person's seat becoming eligible to be filled by another individual. TCAT management staffwill be expected to attend the meetings regularly. The meet- ings will be announced in advance and will be open to all TCAI staffand members of the public. For more information, contact \Mendy Skinner, 277-9388, ext 560, or e-mail wsl@tcatmail.com