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Q&A
Explanation of VAB bylaws and legal structure
0:19:25
·
55 sec
Commissioner Hendon explains the legal structure and bylaws of the Veterans Advisory Board (VAB), clarifying the discrepancies between the bylaws and the actual board composition.
- The VAB bylaws are an internal function of the board, not controlled by DVS.
- The New York City Charter states the board should have 13 members, which is what DVS follows.
- DVS aims to respect the autonomy of the board while adhering to legal requirements.
James Hendon
0:19:25
I I wanna start with the, the bylaws issue.
0:19:28
The bylaws, that's an internal function of the VAB as far as it goes back to one thing I mentioned in the, testimony as far as, you know, determine its own rules and procedures.
0:19:37
So that's not something that we, DVS, have a handle on.
0:19:40
That's the VAB.
0:19:41
Also, when we look at things that involve the a board, we look at law.
0:19:45
We look at chapter 75 of the New York City Charter, which states the composition of the board, and it states it as 13 as far as the law.
0:19:51
And we look at, say, the, administrative code, you know, section, 3105, which talks about, you know, how these meetings are to be presented as far as our role here.
0:20:02
So for us, we are constantly leaning on what is in law and not what these bylaws are.
0:20:07
And I can speak on that a little further, but a lot of this goes back to the autonomy of the board.
0:20:11
We wanna be as mindful as we can of the autonomy.
0:20:14
Also, we wanna recognize what we are to do and not do in law.
0:20:17
And that's a perfect example where it's 13 members, mister chair.