Special Board Requirements:

Sections 676B of the Community Services Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 1998 requires that, as a condition of designation, private nonprofit entities and public organizations administer their CSBG program through tripartite boards that “fully participate in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program to serve low-income communities.”

Board Composition

For private nonprofit entities, a minimum of one-third of tripartite board membership must be democratically selected representatives of low-income individuals and families who reside in the geographic area being served by the agency.

For public organizations, such as city, county, or town governments, the law also requires that a minimum of one-third of tripartite board membership be comprised of representatives of low income individuals and families who reside in areas served. The statute allows public organizations to utilize State-specified mechanisms other than tripartite boards that “assure decision-making and participation by low-income individuals in the development, planning,
implementation, and evaluation of programs…”

OCS does not recommend including in this community representation category for either public or private agency boards individuals who provide services or supports to low-income residents but who are neither low-income or residents of the agency’s service area. Such individuals may qualify for board membership as representatives of another board category — “major groups or interests in the community.”

One-third must be elected officials, holding office at their time of selection, or their representatives. If a sufficient number of elected officials or their representatives are not available to serve, appointive public officials or their representatives may take the place of
elected officials.

The remaining board members must be chosen from “business, industry, labor, religious, law enforcement, education, or other major groups and interests in the community served.”