Firewise Southwest Colorado
Council Membership Guidelines
and Operating Procedures

 

 

1. The name of the group shall be Firewise Southwest Colorado. Firewise Southwest Colorado is a broad community effort with grassroots involvement from anyone interested in creating safer communities. Residents and organizations can be involved in Firewise Southwest Colorado through an email tree, events, and projects. Firewise Southwest Colorado is governed by a diverse Council of stakeholders (hereinafter referred to as the Council).

2. Purpose:

The purpose of the Firewise – Southwest Colorado is to mitigate the threat of wildfire to homes, lives and properties. This will be done through education, advocacy, mitigation and implementing community projects.

3. The Committees of the Council are:
a) Community Education
b) “On the Ground” Mitigation Projects

Committees can be established on an Ad Hoc basis. Members and other volunteers who are not on the Council can serve on Committees. The Committees are chaired by members of the Council.

4. Requirements and Terms of Council Membership are:
- Attend regular meetings.
- Report back to your organization (if applicable).
- Be active within the Council and/or serve on a Committee.
- Council Members serve either a term of one or two years.
- Agree with the purpose of the Council.
- Suggest a replacement when leaving.

5. Leadership, Voting and Quorum
- The Council will consist of no more than 25 members.
- The Council uses consensus decision making where possible.
- If consensus is not possible, the Council votes. A quorum for voting is 33% of Council membership.
- The Council will elect annually two co-chairs.
- A Council member may have a designated alternate.
- A Council member can vote by email or written proxy.
- If a Council member misses three meetings within a year without just cause, another person will be asked to fill their slot. Members are taken off the roster through a vote of the Council members.

6. Composition of the Council
- The Council has a maximum of 25 members representing: homeowners; homeowner associations; businesses; realtors; landscape designers; architects and engineers; local non-profits; interested citizens; La Plata Electric Association and other utility companies; private fire mitigation companies; disaster preparedness organizations; insurance agents; and home builders. Other sectors can be recruited as the need arises.

7. Community Partners
- The Council is supported by “Community Partners” who include but are not limited to: Colorado State Forest Service; San Juan Public Lands Center; La Plata County Planning Department and the County Planning Groups; Durango Fire and Rescue Authority and other interested fire departments and fire-fighting entities in La Plata County; and the Office of Community Services at Fort Lewis College. More Community Partners can be added.
- Community Partners attend meetings, serve on Committees, and offer help, support and in-kind resources.
- Community Partners do not vote.

8. The permanent meeting location of the Council is the La Plata Electric Board Room, 45 Stewart Drive in BoDo Industrial Park, Durango, CO.

9. The Council is open to anyone in the region. Council Members are able to help other communities in Southwest Colorado start their own Councils if they choose.

2/06