We didn't hear the Korean or Spanish announcement so if they did talk the general English speakers did not hear anything...

I heard it on the open session, David. People need to change the language for audio in the language button at the bottom of the screen.

You would need to chose the English Channel, if someone speaks in Korean or Spanish. The interpreter would translate to English.

I do not recall seeing an election handbook? Did you send to all the NCs?

when was the Election Handbook sent to NCs?

Hi Gloria, here is a link to the handbook

https://clerk.lacity.org/elections/neighborhood-council-elections/nc-election-resources

https://clerk.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph606/f/2021_NC_List_of_Election_Administrators.pdf

It was linked in email messages, but it's available on the city clerk's NC elections page

TY

Welcome Kathleen!

What do the dates to the left mean? https://clerk.lacity.org/elections/neighborhood-council-elections/nc-election-resources

Sorry I missed that in the confusion & transfer over to this meeting from the smack down... glad your here!

Will this recording be made available? If so, how can we go on about acquiring a link to access the video. Gracias! 😄

Click here to access the City Clerk NC Website: https://clerk.lacity.org/elections/neighborhood-council-election

If we are already an NC Board member, should we use our NC emails to register, or our personal emails?

We recommend candidates use their personal email as to prevent any conflicts of interest. However, to my knowledge, there is nothing that prohibits candidates from using their NC emails. I defer to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment for their suggestion/advise.

@ Renee - Thank you! Very helpful.

You're very welcome!

Should we use our personal phone number or something like a Google phone number? Also, any feedback on the recording?

Can an individual run for seats on two different NCs if they are stakeholders for both?

Or is there something that disallows participation in multiple NCs?

Please define a community interest board seat. What r the requirements to qualify for this board seat?

Marco - it's up to each individual.

Elise- yes an individual can unless an NC's bylaws say they are not allowed. But in most cases, yes.

Ronee - here is the official ordinance that went into effect Oct 16th defining Community Interest stakeholdership: https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2018/18-0467_ORD_186761_10-16-2020.pdf

Thank you, Thomas.

Elice, the one thing I would add is to ensure there is time to fulfill both commitments if you run for two different Neighborhood Councils

Marco, the materials from this session will be sent to the email you used for your RSVP

they will be sent out early next week

Indeed. Thank you for adding that, Ann-Marie.

Yes for sure! :)

Will the approval process include editing if you feel something is not appropriate?

Also in 2019 some of the photos were sideways....

Does this statement appear publicly or on any of the election materials for voters, or does this remain internal? What audience and purpose is the statement for? Should it focus on why stakeholders should vote for us, or something else?

If the region interested in is not listed, does one continue to check, is there a way to be notified, or is the seat not available?

Laurie - It may but the candidate will be notified.

Glenn - This process was implemented to fix the photo errors before posting as well.

Elice - Ann Marie will cover this in her presentation coming up but it's for the voters to learn more about you.

How can the public access the candidates info and statements? Is there a way we can see them before we compose and file our own application?

Is the "paper" application available as a fillable PDF?

Elice - ..and yes, it will be on our website here: https://clerkappsele.lacity.org/NCElection/nccandidates

Will there be new NC openings? I don't see anything around where I live nor work.

What is the candidate challenge period?

Are there Nomination Petitions involved like with City and other elections? Is there a requirement to appear in-person at the Clerk's Office to also confirm identity?

Yes, I was under the impression this event was mostly about canvassing and connecting with voters

EVERY NC has vacancies in 2021. Some will hold their own "selection" (election-like, not secret ballot) and are not on this candidate portal

What do candidates who already sit as voting members of neighborhood or homeowners’ associations need to consider about possible conflicts of interest that may come up when both bodies are taking up the same matter?

Can residents on my neighborhood voted for me as a candidate if they live in a different district within my neighborhood? (For example, I live in my NC district C and have friends who live in NC district A)

Laurie - It should be. You would need to make sure you list all the candidates along with their photos and statements (if they submitted one) and in the same order they are listed on the certified candidates list. You should work with your NEA.

To truly represent stakeholders in our community, how does NC avoid being a rubber stamp extension of DTLA City Council?

Big advice on candidate statement: be sure to grammar and spell check, have someone else review.

For voters who do not use digital media, or those who speak a different language, how will they be able to review the candidate statements?

HOA membership and NC membership may have competing loyalties. A religious group may have specific political preferences. These are not "conflicts of interest". They are COMPETING interests, and other candidates may want to point out that THEY do not have competing organizational interests

What about the NC's that are in EE or haven't met quorum since last March? How will the Election work for the disfunctional NC's?

If we get voter information from the County Registrar, can we e-mail those voters (without getting prior sign-ups)?

Hi Conrad, every board member is required to take the Ethics training. If a board member may have a conflict of interest, they should consult with the City Attorney before they participate in the agenda item.

"Exhaustive Efforts" (usually to overcome local dissent or bad behavior) are SOLVED by electing a new group of people. EE has rarely fixed any people problems

Glenn - We will update the candidate application form to make it fillable. Thanks!

Thomas, what should potential candidates know about conflicts of interest prior to deciding to run? It would be a shame to learn only after gaining office that you are likely to need to step down due to a continuing conflict of interest.

If you want to make a language case for yourself, use it in your candidate statement (in addition to English). You don't get any extra characters, so plan carefully.

I Agree with you Tony but how is the Department going to do the outreach?

Thanks Conrad. That's why this year, there is more information included in the candidate application form regarding expectations ie. conflict of interest.

No one comes to an NC Board with a conflicting interest. The conflicts come up in the context of the SPECIFIC VOTES you may be taking. You may have conflicts for some and not for others. There is no such thing as "all capitalists" (or whatever class) have "a conflict".

Thomas, thanks.

REPEAT: For voters who do not use digital media, how will they be able to review the candidate statements?

I agree with this email address advice. You may also want to use this for social media

Conrad, the way wwe did this in the past was to post the candidate statements at the polling place. We can still do this at the ballot drop-off location (where the city clerk employee will need to maintain social distancing.

It’s good to practice not getting defensive when interacting with stakeholders

Ann-Marie's presentation is excellent. We be worth reviewing again when the saved session is available online.

will be

Michelle - You can click here to see the candidate challenge period for your NC: https://clerk.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph606/f/2021_NC_Election_Timeline.pdf

Thank you, @Renee.

My pleasure Michelle!

M. Dacanay - Candidates running for NC boards seats do not complete nominating petitions unless their bylaws stipulates it (I only know of one NC that does - Mar Vista NC). Documents proving identity should be uploaded to the portal while completing the candidate application online or included with a candidate paper application submission. In-person is not required.

What is a slate?

Even in Mar Vista, there is a question of whether their requirement for petitions is legal. When I managed their election in an earlier year, and an Independent Election Administrator, we just received the lists and refused to even check them.

Will we see more tele/videoconferencing NC meetings? Traveling to/from meetings is what makes it difficult for potential candidates/members to become involved. Have remote meetings increased meeting attendance/participation?

Ann-Marie — do you have samples of explaining the Vote By Mail process ?

Be advised that using anonymous text messaging services can do more to alienate than to encourage. Be respectful.

Kris - Some NCs allow their voters to vote on all Area seats. Some restrict voting to those within the Area. You will need to consult the bylaws or you can call your Election Administrator for assistance. The list of EAs can be found here: https://clerk.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph606/f/2021_NC_List_of_Election_Administrators.pdf.

Question for NC Board members: How much time is involved (Board meetings, Committees and any other work involved)?

Being on an NC is an extra full time job that you won't be paid for... 40hrs a month!

Elice - A slate is when a group of candidates run together. This can be used to combine promotional materials.

M. Dacanay — Monthly board meetings 2-3 hours a month + special meetings if held. Committees can be similar time ranges depending on the committee. Other work depends on the position. There may be emails, reviewing content regarding board agenda items such as minutes, financial reports, land use positions. You can put as much time into being a board member as you are able and what interests you and why you are a board member in your community.

Slates are great but know who they are before you get involved with someone you don't know

I am sorry if you covered this, but is there a minimum number of votes to get elected?

and will the slides be available online?

Yi - You must receive at least one vote. Even when running unopposed.

Thank you, Renee!

My pleasure Yi!

Yi Ding — the number of votes needed depends on the position. Region or Area reps may have less voter turnout because the voters need to be voters from the Area or Region.

One more than your opponent is all that is needed otherwise it's up to a coin toss or a short straw pull that the Election Administrator will call.

yes, if you don’t vote for yourself, if nobody else votes, you automatically lose.

Thank you!

Everyone - in the followup materials, we will try to address any questions that were not yet covered during this session

Thank you Ann Marie you are always amazing. I am a new At Large Board member for West Adams. I’m very excited.

Dorsay thanks for your kind words! So thrilled to hear you're on West Adams now!

addresses for help:

Sent an email because my Chat was frozen. Is there an approved version of the Neighborhood digital communications policy?

EmpowerLA@LAcity.org

Conrad - If someone would like candidate statement information for an NC and do not have access to the internet, they can contact our office and we will work to assist them in getting that information.

For voters who work in your NC area, but do not live in that area, how may we, and DONE know if they are valid voters?

Clerk.ElectionsNC@LAcity.org

Thanks, Renee. Hopefully that message will be on the paper application as well. I realize it’s a small subset, but until we say the internet is 100% required, we should have an avenue for those stakeholders.

Can you cover in your next presentation what the minimum NC Election is going to look like for the disfunctional NC's & why you all don't want to be in that place.

A letter on letterhead does wonders for lots of verifications, like "work here"

Kathleen - the City Clerk will verify them using their ballot application

super helpful session, thanks everyone! inspiring!

City Clerk NC website: https://clerk.lacity.org/elections/neighborhood-council-election

SRAY INVOLVED: WIN OR NOT

Thanks everyone. Stay home!

Thanks!

Ann-Marie, thank you so much! I remember doing your session two years ago before I ran too and it was super helpful both times.

GREAT seesion!!!