INTRODUCTION:
 
The Nebraska Rural Development Commission ("RDC", “NRDC”, "Commission" or "commission") was created by, and is governed by, Nebraska statutory provisions codified (at the time of adoption of these operating procedures and guidelines) at §§81-3601 to 81-3609, Nebraska Revised Statutes (2004 Supplement).

The statutory provisions provide the baseline governance requirements for the RDC.  The statutes authorize (at §81-3604) the RDC to adopt operating procedures and guidelines ("Operating Procedures").  These Operating Procedures echo or augment the governing statutes.

These Operating Procedures will be effective when they are duly adopted by a majority of the voting members represented at a duly called meeting of the RDC where a quorum is present at such meeting.  The effective date will be reflected adjacent to an authenticating signature by the duly elected chairperson of the RDC which will be made at the end of this document.

MISSION:

The RDC proposes administrative and policy changes that enhance the quality of life and the business environment making Nebraska the premiere state in which to live and to develop business opportunities.

To accomplish its mission, the RDC shall:

1. Focus attention on and increase awareness of the opportunities and needs of rural Nebraskans;

2. Advocate for rural Nebraska by proposing solutions to rural challenges;

3. Strengthen community sustainability and growth in rural Nebraska through increased community-based wealth creation, expanded economic opportunity, and improved quality of life;

4. Stimulate rural development innovation and foster information transfer to, from, and within rural Nebraska;

5. Encourage and support continuity, coordination, and cooperation among national, state, multi-community, and local rural development initiatives and service providers;

6. Ensure that rural Nebraskans are afforded the opportunity to determine rural Nebraska's development agenda;

7. Serve as an advisory body to the Governor, state agencies, and the Legislature on rural development issues;

8. Establish an information clearinghouse on rural challenges and needs, development services, model initiatives, available resources, and service providers;

9. Foster community-based development initiatives through multi-community partnerships;

10. Support strategic planning and research for and evaluation of rural  development initiatives and service providers by administering the Nebraska Development Network Program;

11. Serve as Nebraska's rural development council within the meaning of the National Rural Development Partnership by providing inventories, reports, assessments, and implementation plans as appropriate; and

12. Participate in the Partnership for Rural Nebraska.
[statutory source §81-3603]

NON-PARTISAN AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT POLICY:

The RDC is an organization with a non partisan and non discriminatory membership policy and employment policy.  No person or organization shall be disqualified from participation in the RDC; as a member, as an officer, or as an employee, premised upon their political party affiliation or lack thereof, race, national origin, color, sex, age, religion, or disability.

COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP TERMS AND LEADERSHIP PROVISIONS:

Terms for commission members are for three years unless specified at appointment as being for a lesser term, with no member allowed to serve more than three consecutive terms. Those members appointed in the first year of operation of the RDC (2003) will be divided into three groups (such division to be decided by lot) at the time of consideration (in 2006) of either such members' reappointment or of the appointment of a different member to replace them (referred to below as "initial 2003 memberships").  One-third of such initial 2003 memberships will be appointed to a term of one year in 2006, one-third of such initial 2003 memberships will be appointed to a term of two years in 2006, and one third of such initial 2003 memberships will be appointed to a term of three years in 2006.  These differing appointment terms in 2006 will establish a staggering of the end of membership terms for the initial members, and thus provide for membership institutional continuity by limiting the number of members whose appointments expire in any one year.

COMMISSIONER REQUIREMENTS:

1) Have an understanding and interest in NRDC, its mission and objectives.
2) Have a record of involvement in community or leadership activities.
3) Be willing to commit time and resources necessary to ensure the successful implementation of the NRDC’s goals and objectives.
4) Attend 75% of quarterly meetings—excused absences are allowed for illness, death, military service and extraordinary circumstances.  All other absences will be reviewed by the Executive Board to determine whether they are excused or not.  Failure to meet this attendance requirement may be cause for removal from the NRDC.
5) Be able to subordinate personal interests for the good of the NRDC as a whole.
6) Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with NRDC officials, staff, fellow commissioners and general members of the public.

ELECTIONS:

The NRDC membership shall elect an Executive Board consisting of Commission officers plus the immediate past chair (who shall serve a one-year term on the Executive Board) at the annual meeting of the organization.  The chairperson shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of five (5) members of the NRDC.  The nominating committee shall recommend a list of candidates to fill all vacancies.  Notice of the number of vacancies, of the names of such candidates and of the date of the annual meeting shall be provided for all NRDC members at least thirty days in advance of the annual meeting.  Additional nominations may thereafter be made by petition signed by at least ten (10)members of the NRDC.  A separate petition must be filed for each additional nominee.  Such petitions must be delivered to the Executive Director of the NRDC at least seven (7) days before the annual meeting. 

The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the commission shall be elected by a majority of the members of the commission at the first commission meeting in odd-numbered years and shall each serve a two-year term as chairperson and vice-chairperson, respectively.  [statutory source:  §81-3602(1)(e)]  The terms of office will begin July 1 of the odd-numbered year of election.

The secretary and treasurer of the commission shall be elected by a majority of the members of the commission at the annual meeting and shall serve a two-year term as secretary and treasurer, respectively.  The terms of office will begin July 1 of the odd-numbered year of election.

STAFFING:
 
The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the commission shall supervise the hiring of the executive director using the state personnel hiring process and may employ personnel necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the commission. [statutory source:  §81-3601]     Additionally, the executive director with assistance from the executive committee will oversee the hiring and work direction of other employees of the RDC.

POWERS:

The RDC, as a statutorily created, independent state agency is empowered by the authorizing statutes as solely responsible for its own governance and operations, subject to the mandates of the authorizing statutes.  The RDC is thus free to act as its membership dictates, and has full autonomy in its decision-making processes.

The RDC may:

1. Appoint nonvoting members, obtain advisors, create task forces composed of non-commission members, or engage in other appropriate activities necessary in completing the commission's duties;

2. Issue reports, recommendations, or other communications as deemed necessary by a majority of voting members of the commission;

3. Adopt operating procedures and guidelines; and

4. Engage in other activities relevant and appropriate to its purpose, duties, and powers.
[statutory source:  §81-3604]

FUNDING AND CONTRACTING:

The RDC may receive or apply for and receive gifts, grants, contributions, and other funds from the federal government, private agencies, affiliated associations, and individuals and contract with public and private groups to conduct its business.
[statutory source:  §81-3604]

The Lieutenant Governor, the Governor’s Policy Research Office, the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Agriculture, and other state agencies may provide administrative and technical support under the direct supervision of the Governor. The RDC may secure cooperation and assistance of other appropriate government and private-sector entities specifically for rural programs.
[statutory source:  §81-3601]
 
EXPENSES INCURRED BY MEMBERS:

The members of the commission shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses as provided in §§81-1174 to 81-1177 and pursuant to policies of the commission.
[statutory source:  §81-3602(3)]

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:

On or before February 15 of each year, the executive director of the RDC shall transmit to the Governor and the Clerk of the Legislature an annual report which includes a summary of the commission's activities, recommendations for future rural development action, and an accounting of the source and use of funds disbursed during the previous fiscal year.
[statutory source:  §81-3605]

MEETINGS:

The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the members.  The chairperson shall call such meetings as he or she determines necessary to fulfill the duties of  the commission.  A quorum shall be one-half of the members.
[statutory source:  §81-3602(2)] 

A motion will be considered passed if a majority of those in attendance at an official meeting vote affirmative.  Meetings will be informal following the approved agenda except in the case of disputes.  At those times, Roberts Rules of Order (as amended) will be followed.

RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO APPEAR:

The public shall have the right to attend commission meetings and to speak on matters related to the commission and rural development.  Any person may appear before and address the commission at the time designated on the agenda for public comment concerning any item on the agenda for that meeting.  Any person may appear before and address the commission at any scheduled meeting on any matter not on the agenda that concerns the commission or rural development by notifying the Executive Director at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting at which the person desires to address the commission.  A time limit of five (5) minutes shall be placed upon each individual appearance before the commission and no more than thirty (30) minutes shall be allowed for public comment unless a majority of the quorum present shall extend such time limit.  The Chairperson shall have the right to prohibit multiple appearances by persons presenting needlessly repetitious or redundant testimony.

MEMBERS:

1. The RDC shall consist of members who represent a wide range of rural Nebraska interests.
2. The Governor shall appoint four (4) members to the commission.  The Governor shall appoint a representative of his or her office and one representative from each of the Department of Economic Development, the Department of Agriculture, and the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.
3. The Speaker of the Legislature shall appoint one (1) member of the Legislature to the commission.
4. A minimum of fifteen (15) other members, nominated by their respective peer organizations, shall be certified by the Governor to represent federal agencies, local governments, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, regional economic development organizations, the private sector, postsecondary education, and youth.
  [statutory source:  §81-3602(1)(a-d)]
5.  No single organization or agency may have more than four (4) appointed members on the commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE AND AUTHENTICATING SIGNATURE OF CHAIRPERSON:

The effective date of these Operating Procedures is:  October 5, 2005

s/    Marcia Baumann
       Marcia Baumann
       Chairperson of the Nebraska Rural Development Commission

Amendment #1:  ELECTIONS section amended to define the starting date of terms of office for the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer.
Effective date is: October 11, 2006

S/  Edgar Hicks
      Edgar Hicks
      Acting Chairperson of the Nebraska Rural Development Commission

Rural Development Commission
1101 Halligan Drive, Building #10
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 308-380-4966 phone and cell
(308) 749-2223 fax
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