GET Community Transit Advisory Group
Operating Guidelines
Purpose:
What is GET’S Community Transit Advisory Group (CTAG)
GET’S Community Transit Advisory Group (CTAG) is made up of members of the public from across the District’s area of operation. The Advisory Group represents the public's voice and guides GET on the matters most important to the Bakersfield Community and its transit needs. Their thoughts, perspectives, and values inform GET’s activities and influence how our transit system will move forward into the future. The CTAG reviews transportation issues pertaining to the District’s area of operation, advising and providing recommendations to GET staff and the Board of Directors on how GET should move forward into the future to better the transit service. Selected advisory members either ride GET regularly, have knowledge of transit, or possess specialized expertise as representatives of community-based organizations, businesses or educational institutions.
The CTAG will provide a citizen’s perspective, participation, and involvement in the District’s service development and implementation.
The Community Transit Advisory Group follows five guiding principles for public involvement:
- Public participation activity requires teamwork and commitment at all levels of the GET organization.
- One size does not fit all; input from diverse perspectives enhances the process and gives new perspectives and understanding of the transportations needs of the community as a whole.
- Effective public outreach and involvement requires relationship building with local governments, stakeholders, and community groups.
- Engaging interested persons in ‘local’ transportation issues is challenging, yet possible, by making it relevant, removing barriers to participation, and communicating in clear, compelling language and visuals.
- An open and transparent public participation process empowers low-income communities, communities of color, and special needs groups to participate in decision-making that affects them.
Meetings:
The following guidelines shall apply to all CTAG meetings:
- For purposes of establishing a quorum, at least 50% plus one of the CTAG’s members must approve actions of the CTA.
- Regular CTAG meetings shall be held quarterly on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The meetings will be held in person and via ZOOM so we may have greater participation. The meeting schedule will be set and voted upon at the first meeting of the fiscal year starting July 1. With possible exceptions, the regular meetings will be used for presentations from, and discussions with, GET staff and other parties of interest to the CTAG, the setting of agendas, discussion of and action on topics of interest related to the CTAG’s mission, purpose, organization, and coordination of Group.
- CTAG meeting agendas shall be set by GET staff. Agendas shall be posted three workdays before the meeting date, if possible.
- The business of the CTAG shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Activities:
The CTAG will review programs and projects brought to them by the GET staff. Members of the general public are welcome to attend all regular meetings of the CTAG.
Special meetings: Special meetings may be called by GET Staff or, or upon the written request from at least five CTAG members, provided at least forty-eight hours’ notice is given. The Staff Liaison will notify CTAG members of the time, place, and purpose of such special meeting. No business other than the specific topic around which the special meeting was called shall be considered.
Public events: Public events, which CTAG members are encouraged but not required to attend, include community meetings, public hearings, groundbreakings, and grand openings.
GET Staff Support:
GET staff will coordinate the work of the CTAG.
Administrative Support: GET shall designate a Staff Liaison to the CTAG. The Staff Liaison shall serve as CTAG members’ primary point of contact with GET, though the Staff Liaison serving this role shall not preclude CTAG members from contacting other GET staff directly when appropriate.
The Staff Liaison shall be responsible for mailings to the CTAG, tracking of attendance, basic documentation of regular meetings of the CTAG for the purpose of establishing a record, and channeling CTAG members’ concerns to the appropriate GET staff member.
Guideline Review Process: Each year at the start of the fiscal year, possibly through an ad hoc committee, the CTAG shall review its operating guidelines for appropriate additions, deletions, or amendments.
Membership:
Composition of the CTAG: The CTAG is composed of eighteen (18) community representatives. GET Staff will conduct outreach and meetings with prospective members to the CTAG. Staff will present a list of potential CTAG members to GET’s Board of Directors for an appointment. Potential CTAG members will be invited to apply for the position on the CTAG and GET’s Board will appoint members on the recommendation of GET Staff.
The breakdown of the CTAG is as follows:
- Five members represent communities of color and issues affecting low-income communities or environmental justice. Of these, two members represent communities of color and two members represent environmental justice/low-income issues; the fifth member may be selected from either category.
- Five members represent issues related to transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities. Two members represent seniors and two members represent people with disabilities; the fifth member may be selected from either category.
- Four members will represent communities served by community-based organizations e.g. Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health, and Homeless Shelter.
- Four members will be from our educational and/or business community ex. high school and college campuses.
Each member will be appointed to a one or two-year term in the first year of the CTAG and to a two-year term thereafter. Nine members will start by serving a one-year term and the other nine will serve a two-year term. This process will help balance when CTAG members come on and off the CTAG. After the nine serve the one-year term, they are eligible for a two-year term extension. CTAG members should serve no more than two full consecutive two-year terms. Under certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for CTAG members to serve more than two consecutive terms.
Appointment of members shall be made at the first Board meeting in June. The appointment will start with the fiscal year which starts in July. Appointments become effective at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Interim appointments may be made at other times of the year to fill vacancies. The time spent by a CTAG member as an interim appointee shall not be counted when considering whether that appointee has served the maximum number of terms recommended in this document.
Qualifications: A CTAG member must know how to use mass transit and/or works in a professional environment where public transportation serves transit-dependent individuals. Transit dependency is not a requirement for CTAG membership. CTAG members must be able to communicate knowledgeably about GET in particular and public transit in general. Members should have the ability to advocate on behalf of public transit and promote service.
CTAG membership will represent the larger community and have diverse representation in regard to age, gender, race, disability, transit dependence, availability to participate in CTAG activities, and geography.
In addition, selected community leaders may be invited to serve as ex officio members of the CTAG.
Attendance: Attendance at CTAG meetings is required. A member wishing to be excused shall contact the GET Staff Liaison in advance of a meeting. All CTAG members are permitted only two unexcused absences per calendar year. After three unexcused absences, the CTAG shall notify the member in writing and may terminate the individual’s membership.
Process for New Members: Individuals interested in becoming a CTAG member must submit an application. An ad hoc Screening Committee, consisting of two or more GET staff members, shall review applicants based on the criteria set out in the qualifications section of the guidelines.
Depending on the number of applications being considered, the Screening Committee may either present a limited number of applications or present the entire pool of applications. Activities of the Screening Committee shall be timed to allow for adequate review in advance of the annual appointment of new members at the start of the fiscal year in July of each year.
GET staff will review all CTAG applications and make recommendations to GET’s Board of Directors. All members of the CTAG will be appointed by GET’s Board of Directors.
If vacancies occur during the year, the CTAG may recommend an interim appointment to fill the remainder of the term.
The CTAG shall adopt additional bylaws and rules as it elects, so long as there is no conflict with the existing guidelines.
