Can a Neighborhood Council join a chamber of commerce or other such organization?
No. Under the City Charter, a Neighborhood Council is an advisory body and cannot join private organizations such as chambers of commerce. However, a Neighborhood Council can interact with private organizations in activities, such as implementing neighborhood improvement projects. Neighborhood Councils are encouraged to interact with other organizations as much as possible. This prohibition protects the Neighborhood Council board by preventing conflict of interest issues when private organizations take positions on issues placed before the Neighborhood Council. An individual stakeholder or board member of a Neighborhood Council is free to join any private organization.
