Commissioners' Fundamentals-Answer Keys - Commissioners' Fundamentals

Answer Keys - Commissioners' Fundamentals

Pdf Summary

The document provides guidance for housing agencies regarding the delineation of responsibilities between the Board and the Executive Director (ED), assessing potential conflicts of interest, and outlines various case studies on Board relationships. 

<strong>Board vs. ED/Operations Activity:</strong>
The document outlines various activities common in housing agencies and identifies whether they are primarily the responsibility of the Board, the Executive Director, or both. For example, activities such as hiring the Executive Director or approving the agency’s budget fall under the Board's primary responsibility. In contrast, activities like notifying contractors of the winning bid are solely under the Executive Director’s purview.

<strong>Conflict of Interest Scenarios:</strong>
The document provides scenarios illustrating potential conflicts of interest, encouraging commissioners to evaluate these situations critically. For example, hiring a contractor who has previously done good work for personal projects or intervening on behalf of a family member living in public housing could present real or perceived conflicts of interest.

<strong>Case Studies:</strong>
1. <strong>Board-Mayor Relationship:</strong> Highlights the appropriate interaction between a commissioner and the mayor regarding agency matters, especially concerning staff like a maintenance manager.
2. <strong>Board-Resident Relationship:</strong> Guides resident commissioners on managing relationships with residents to address individual concerns and redirect them to appropriate channels within the agency.
3. <strong>Board-ED Relationship:</strong> Focuses on fostering a productive working relationship between the Board and a new Executive Director to ensure clarity in roles and responsibilities.

<strong>Commissioners Fundamentals Post-Training Assessment:</strong>
The document also includes a post-training assessment for commissioners attending NAHRO (National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) training. It tests knowledge on topics such as creating the agency's vision, understanding primary roles and responsibilities, and recognizing agency stakeholders. The assessment emphasizes ethical boundaries, the importance of oversight, and maintaining appropriate relationships with stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability in housing agencies.

Keywords

housing agencies

Board responsibilities

Executive Director

conflict of interest

case studies

Board-Mayor relationship

Board-Resident relationship

Board-ED relationship

commissioners training

NAHRO assessment