New ANC e-list for DC

(ANCs are Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, grassroots local government bodies organized as subdistricts of Wards, consisting of Commissioners, elected from Single Member Districts (SMDs). Each SMD represents about 2,000 people.)

According to the city website:

The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District's annual budget.

In each of these areas, the intent of the ANC legislation is to ensure input from an advisory board that is made up of the residents of the neighborhoods that are directly affected by government action. The ANCs are the body of government with the closest official ties to the people in a neighborhood.

The ANCs present their positions and recommendations on issues to various District government agencies, the Executive Branch, and the Council. They also present testimony to independent agencies, boards, and commissions, usually under the rules of procedure specific to those entities. By law, the ANCs may also present their positions to Federal agencies.)

From Ryan Velasco, Commissioner, ANC 6C 07 (Near Northeast Capitol Hill)

I've created a new Google Group for ANC Commissioners, and others interested in the ANC system and its role in our communities.

Here's further description of the group-

Whether you're a new ANC Commissioner learning to navigate the maze of DC government, a seasoned Commissioner with knowledge to share, or a constituent with suggestions for organizational improvement, we hope you will use this google group as a primary community resource to contribute to the political process. No ANC should function as an island. We need to think beyond the boundaries of our Single Member Districts to build cross-Commission
relationships to tackle the collective issues facing our community.

Some goals of this group for the immediate future include:

-Initiate an inter-Commission dialogue to identify issues surrounding the delivery of government programs and services.
-Establish a forum to promote civic organizations, community organizing and community events, city-wide, through monthly ANC meetings and processes.
-Develop standard operating procedures for the effective management of our Commissions and for improved communication with DC offices and agencies.

I'd like to hear your thoughts and suggestions, so post away.