[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Harrison 1-19-2021 by Ord. No. 01-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
There is hereby created an Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Board ("IDEA") consisting of Class A, B, and C members.
B. 
The mission of the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Board is to unify the residents of Harrison Township by advising the Township Committee and engaging in outreach to cultivate a diverse, respectful, just, safe, inclusive, equitable, compassionate, welcoming community. The Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Board builds connections among neighbors, engages with community services, gathers information about local needs and takes collaborative action.
A. 
The Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Board will seek to attract members that are interested and compassionate about diversity issues, can respect different viewpoints, are action-oriented, and have personal experience that will provide empathy and community understanding regarding issues of diversity and will contribute to a diverse Board. The Township Committee will consider the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advisory Board goals and mission when selecting the initial slate of members.
B. 
There shall be appointed up to nine Class A members. Class A members shall have voting privileges and shall be Township residents.
C. 
There shall be up to nine Class B members. Class B members shall have no voting privileges. Class B members may include the following: Township member/mayor; Police Department member/chief; Harrison Township/Clearview Board of Education member, school member (teacher, parent, principal), business member, religious leaders, youth sports, teen group/club, affordable housing member and residents.
D. 
Class C members consist of any individuals who are not defined as a Class A or Class B member. There shall be no limit to the number of Class C members. The IDEA Committee may select volunteers to work on IDEA Board and subcommittee projects. Class C members shall have no voting privilege. The names of the Class C members shall be submitted to the Township Committee annually.
E. 
The first slate of Class A members seated will be selected by the Mayor and Committee. The Mayor will appoint two members, and each of the remaining seven Class A Board members will be appointed by the Township Committee. Subsequent appointments will be made by the seated Board.
F. 
Terms of the Class A Board members will be three years, except as set forth below. There shall be no term limits.
G. 
In the event that any Class A member resigns or fails to attend three consecutive Board meetings, or four total Board meetings in one calendar year, without such absences being excused that position will be deemed vacant, and a subsequent appointment will be made by a vote of the seated Board, subject to Committee confirmation.
H. 
In order to ensure the fewest terms will expire in any one year, the initial terms of the appointed Class A positions will be staggered in the following manner:
(1) 
Position No. 1: expires after one year; appointed by the Mayor.
(2) 
Position No. 2: expires after one year; appointed by Township Committee.
(3) 
Position No. 3: expires after one year; appointed by Township Committee.
(4) 
Position No. 4: expires after two years; appointed by Township Committee.
(5) 
Position No. 5: expires after two years; appointed by Township Committee.
(6) 
Position No. 6: expires after two years; appointed by Township Committee.
(7) 
Position No. 7: expires after three years; appointed by Township Committee.
(8) 
Position No. 8: expires after three years; appointed by Township Committee.
(9) 
Position No. 9: expires after three years; appointed by the Mayor.
I. 
Members may be removed by the Mayor with the approval of Committee after a public hearing before the Committee, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Vacancies on the Board shall be advertised locally, and the new appointee(s) shall be selected from the applications received, except that Board members may elect to interview and/or appoint from applicants received in response to an advertised vacancy within three months prior to any new vacancy. Any appointment to a position vacated other than by the expiration of the term of the appointment shall be to fill the unexpired portion of the term.
Members of the Board shall meet and organize by electing from the members of the Board a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and such other officers as may be determined by the Board. It shall be the duty of the Chair to preside at all meetings. The Vice Chair shall perform this duty in the absence of the Chair. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority of the quorum may transact any particular business of the Board. The Board shall set its own meeting dates, at least every three months per annum, and the Township shall give notice of such meeting(s) in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act[1] of the State of New Jersey, as it now exists and as it may be amended from time to time. Professional and general staff may be provided at the discretion of the Mayor and Committee.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
A. 
The Board is empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and Committee and, as appropriate, to other boards of the Township on various matters, including, but not limited to:
(1) 
Serve as a Board for Township government and the community by providing information, education, and communication that facilitates understanding of diversity and to celebrate and respect individual differences.
(2) 
Recommend to the Mayor and Committee diversity opportunities to promote programs, and provide guidance to assure an accessible, safe, welcoming and inclusive government and community.
(3) 
Support, challenge, and guide government and the community to eliminate and prevent all forms of discrimination.
B. 
The Board shall deliver, at a minimum, an annual report to the Committee in written form each year by January 31 of the subsequent year, to begin at least one year after the Board begins its work, and during other times as directed by the Mayor and Committee.