Made with Xara Web Designer Copyright July, 2011 - Amelia Island Association AMELIA ISLAND ASSOCIATION (AIA) 6/2/11 CHARTER This is a charter to establish an Amelia Island Association (AIA) to help improve the quality of life on Amelia Island. A primary purpose of this association, named the Amelia Island Association (AIA), is to provide a voice for the residents of Amelia Island to the Nassau County government, and the Fernandina Beach City government.  In addition, citizen input may be required to various Florida State agencies, such as: Florida Dept. of Environment Protection (DEP) – river water and beach protection St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) – drinking water management Army Corps of Engineers – wetlands protection,  Dept. of Community Affairs (DCA) – Comprehensive (Growth) Plan review. Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) – Traffic Plan   This Amelia Island Association, relying upon active participation of the island residents on key issues, will inform the community of issues and opportunities that could impact the quality of life on Amelia Island.  They also will monitor government plans and actions, and will represent a voice for residents of Amelia Island on those matters to the county, city or appropriate government agency.  There are a number of organizations, or associations, that represent business interests, such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Builders Association and the Realtors Association that represent business special interests.  AIA is organized in order to give a voice on key issues effecting Amelia Island’s Quality of Life to the residents who want to maintain or improve it. Members of the Amelia Island Association are volunteers.  The AIA’s officers are elected by the AIA members.  As issue committees are formed by the association to research facts and present recommendations on issues, the committees, led by residents, will be encouraged to include involvement from other entities such as the county and city governments, or relevant businesses.  AIA representatives may also participate on community or government formed committees or task groups, in order to provide a residential view on how to maintain or improve the quality of life here. The major functions of the AIA are to: 1. Advise residents when county issues could affect the quality of life. 2. Provide a voice for residents to government on issues that could affect the quality of life on the Amelia Island. 3. Monitor and report on relevant Quality of Life measures. 4. Work with, or lead, teams that develop Quality of Life improvements. APPROACH The AIA approach will use volunteers and a communication network to influence existing forms of government in the county, as a way to maintain or improve the quality of life on Amelia Island.  This approach relies on resident volunteers, working together and with a network, as a means of providing a voice for the tax-paying citizens on the island on important decisions that will affect the Quality of Life here. 1.  IDENTIFY KEY ISSUES, FACT FIND & DEVELOP POSITIONS             Identify key issues that may significantly affect the Quality of Life on the island, from citizen input, government agenda, or reported Quality of Life measures. Volunteers research key issues and identify facts that are used to establish a position.  Residents addressing a particular issue could bring it to the attention of the AIA and request their support.  Existing issue groups should continue their work and simply request the AIA support. AIA Members or committees submit AIA proposed Positions to the AIA Directors for their consideration. The elected AIA Directors vote on which AIA Positions AIA will support. AIA members will be communicated to on all AIA approved Positions. Inform the community about the issues and recommended AIA position.  This could be done using an email network as well as with Viewpoints in the paper.  2.  MONITOR GOVERNMENT AGENDA Monitor the key issues coming before the County and City Planning & Zoning Board and the County and City Commission/Council to determine those that will have a major effect on the Quality of Life of residents on the island or on the key issues identified by the AIA.  This includes attending meetings where key issues relevant to the island’s Quality of Life are discussed. 3.  COMMUNICATE POSITIONS ON KEY ISSUES The Amelia Island Association (AIA) will provide a voice for the Amelia Island residents on key island Quality of Life issues, by communicating the AIA agreed to position on key issues to the appropriate government authorities.