Bylaws of the LONZA Community Advisory Panel

ARTICLE I - Name and Purpose

The name of this non-profit, volunteer entity shall be the Lonza Community Advisory Panel (CAP). The panel shall serve as a forum for open discussion between representatives of Lonza-Riverside and the surrounding communities, which includes, but is not exclusive to, Upper Merion, Bridgeport, West Conshohocken, Norristown, and Plymouth Township.

The panel shall meet regularly with representatives of Lonza to discuss issues of concern to both citizens and the company. The panel shall be a mechanism for the public to convey its questions, comments, or concerns to Lonza. At the same time, it shall provide a forum for the company to respond directly to residents of the community(ies).

The objectives of the panel include, but are not limited to:

1. Provide feedback from the community about plant operations and concerns, identify ways to improve communications with the community.

2. Provide input to the community from the plant about facility operations and concerns.

3. Provide a mechanism for the plant to discuss community response to plant ideas and plans.

4. Address community/industry issues that are important to the community.

5. Provide a means to educate plant and corporate management about the community.

6. Provide a means to educate community leadership about the plant.

The intended result of the panel is that both groups will reach a "common ground" of understanding, and a building of trust between the company and the communities will occur.

The panelists shall serve as an advisory group and not a decision-making body for Lonza. However, their opinions shall be relayed and considered at the plant and corporate level. Lonza shall act as the organizer of the panel.

Back to top

ARTICLE II - Membership

Section 2.1 Composition

The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) shall be composed of up to 20 members from the neighboring communities.

The CAP members shall represent a cross section of the communities, and may include clergy, educators, homemakers, workers, retired persons, business persons and others. The composition will vary and will be determined by the company.

Lonza shall be represented at the CAP meetings.

The CAP will be facilitated by co-chairs from Lonza and the CAP. They shall facilitate CAP meetings, be responsible for preparing meeting agendas, and serve as a resource for the Panel in planning programs and projects. The co-chairs will be nominated in the following manner: The Lonza co-chair will be nominated by the plant manager, the CAP co-chair by the CAP members.

Section 2.2 Selection

Members of the CAP shall be proposed by the leaving members and elected by the CAP. They shall be chosen based on their participation in their communities and their representation of important community interests.

Section 2.3 Duration of Membership

Members of the CAP shall serve staggered three-year terms. Student members shall serve for one-year terms. A member may be re-appointed to a new term; however, an effort will be made to bring new members onto the panel each year.

Section 2.4 Resignations

A Member may resign his or her membership at any time by written resignation deliver to a CAP co-chair.

Section 2.5 Appointment of New Members

New members of the CAP shall be selected by joint decision of the co-chairs with advice from the CAP. Notification of the selection shall be sent via written communication.

Section 2.6 Attendance

Attendance is important to the panel. If a member misses four consecutive meetings, the member will be asked if he/she wants to remain on the panel. In the event a member cannot be present at a meeting, he/she may designate an alternate attendee for that meeting.

Section 2.7 Compensation

Members shall not be compensated for their participation on the panel.

Back to top


ARTICLE III - Meetings: Format, Frequency

Section 3.1 Regular Meetings

The CAP shall meet in regular session at least once a quarter. The meetings shall be held at Lonza-Riverside unless otherwise agreed by the membership and the company.

If the regular meeting date occurs on date and/or time deemed inconvenient by a majority of members, the CAP shall designate another meeting date.

Section 3.2 Meeting Agendas

Agendas shall be prepared, with input from CAP members and the company, to work towards the CAP objectives. The agenda shall also include a summary given by a company representative of any events, operation or policy changes which have occurred since the previous meeting that are considered pertinent to the health, safety, and/or environmental concerns of the community.

Section 3.3 Notification of Meetings

Members shall be notified of the meetings via written correspondence.

Section 3.4 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the company or a majority of the CAP members. Proper notice of the special meeting shall be coordinated by the co-chairs.

Section 3.5 Quorum

One-third of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the members.

Section 3.6 Vote Required

If a quorum is present at a meeting, action taken by a majority of the members present and voting shall be sufficient to transact any business.

Section 3.7 Method of Voting

Each CAP member shall be entitled to one voice vote at any meeting of the members. Written ballot may be utilized at the request of any member in the case that an item has been published as being up for vote prior to the meeting, or a proxy vote may be utilized by designating an alternate CAP representative for the primary CAP representative that is unable to be present at the vote.

Section 3.8 Minutes

Minutes shall be kept and distributed to members within 10 days of the meeting date.

ARTICLE IV - Miscellaneous

All meetings shall be open to the public.

ARTICLE V - Amendment of Bylaws

These bylaws may be repealed or amended by a two-thirds vote of members at any CAP meeting at which a quorum shall be present. Notice of possible action on the bylaws must be given at a prior meeting and by written notice distributed at least one week prior to the meeting for which bylaws amendment action is planned.

Back to top

 

 

Home | CAP Members | CAP Meetings | About Riverside
News and Events | Links and Interests | Contact Us