The State of New York  Executive Law 159-e defines Community-Based Organiztions shall mean any organization incorporated for the purpose of providing services or other assistance to economically or socially disadvantaged persons within its designated community.  Such organization must have a board of directors of which more than half of the members reside in such designated community.

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The following Community Advocates listed below are in support of assuring that all government funding for their district will be granted to Community-Based Organizations and not Service-Based Organizations who have no personal investment other than providing an important service and who are not in compliance with federal, state and city board governance laws.

Boards of all eligible entities, including public and private not-for-profit organizations, are monitored for commpliance with section 676B of the CSBG Act.  Board composition is reviewed annually.  DOS staff attends grantee board meetings and reviews grantee board files to verify composition, appointments, and democratic selection of board members. 

The State will require each eligible entity to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, regilious organization or representativee of low-income

individuals that considers themselves, itself, or the low-inome individuals it represents, to be inadequately represented on the board (or other like managing body) of the eligible entity, may petition for adequate representation.

All eligible entities are required to include language in their bylaws or board policies to all groups and individuals to petition for representation onto their respective boards of directors.