The Recognition Commission coordinates the Ruhkala Awards event each April and the Wall of Recognition along with other duties assigned by the City Council from time to time.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Community Recognition Commission consists of five members appointed to alternating four-year terms. Two of the founding members of the Commission shall be appointed to a two-year term so as to stagger the terms of the members. The Community Recognition Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to community recognition.

Commissioners must be at least 18 years of age, live within the City limits, and a registered voter.

The Community Recognition Commission meets quarterly in February, May, August and November on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Commissioners are paid $100 per regular quarterly meeting.

Chapter 2.45 of the Rocklin Municipal Code specifically addresses the role of the Community Recognition Commission as follows:

Established
The Community Recognition Commission is established as set forth in this chapter and shall be governed by the rules and regulations set out in this chapter.

Composition
The commission shall consist of five (5) members. The City Council, when selecting persons to serve on the commission, shall seek outstanding individuals whose commitment and talents will contribute to the purposes and functions of the commission and who represent a broad array of backgrounds and areas of expertise (such as youth sports organizations, service clubs, local businesses, education sector, arts and culture groups, public safety, civic service clubs, citizens at-large, and philanthropic organizations).

Residency required
In order to be eligible to hold office on the commission, a person must be a resident and registered voter of the city. If, during his or her term of office, a member of the commission moves his or her residence outside the city limits, or ceases to be a registered voter of the city, such member’s office shall immediately become vacant.

Term of office
Members of the Community Recognition Commission shall serve four year terms and until their successor is appointed, unless the term is modified by the Mayor with the consent of the city council. Two of the founding members of the commission shall be appointed to a two year term, so as to stagger the terms of the members.

The members of the commission serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office by the vote of a majority of the members of the City Council.

Compensation
Compensation for a member of the Community Recognition Commission shall be in an amount established by resolution of the City Council.

Failure to attend meetings
In the event a member has three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from regular meetings of the commission, the city council may declare the office of such member vacant. The secretary to the commission shall advise the Mayor through the City Clerk of any member with three (3) consecutive unexcused absences. The chair of the commission has the discretion to determine whether absences are excused or unexcused. Absences should be excused if due to situations such as illness, religious observances, family emergencies, work conflicts, and vacations.

Meetings
The Community Recognition Commission shall meet quarterly in February, May, August and November on the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m.

A quorum shall be a majority of the commission. No action of the commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least three members.

All meetings of the commission shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order as published by Webster’s New World, unless the particular rule or matter is otherwise provided for by city ordinance or the commission’s rules and regulations.

A permanent change in the date and time of the regularly scheduled meetings of the commission shall be submitted to the City Council for approval. Such change may be approved by motion, without the need to amend this chapter.

The commission shall keep a record, which shall be available for public inspection, of all of its resolutions, proceedings, and other actions.

The commission may adopt and amend, by the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, rules and regulations for the conduct of the commission’s business consistent with this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be submitted to the City Council and shall not become effective until approved by the City Council.

Organizational meeting – Officers
The first regular meeting in January of every year shall be an organizational meeting, at which time the commission shall elect its own chairman and vice chairman, who shall serve in such positions for a period of one year or until their successors are chosen.

Special meeting
Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chairman or upon the request of the city council acting through either the mayor or the city manager. Notice of special meeting shall be given at least twenty-four hours in advance of such special meeting.

Brown Act compliance
All meetings of the commission shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law.

Purpose and Duties
The Community Recognition Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in matters pertaining to community recognition. The Commission is charged with performing the following specific functions:

1. Coordinate the Ruhkala Awards event in April to coincide with National Volunteer Month of each year. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
   1. Promote, publicize and encourage community awareness and participation in the Ruhkala Awards process and event;
   2. Plan the Ruhkala Awards event;
   3. Develop tools and selection criteria for determining worthy recipient(s);
   4. Solicit nominations for recipient(s) and inform City Council of the opening date of the call for nominations;
   5. Evaluate nominations and select recipient(s);
   6. Recommend recipient(s) to the City Council via Council agenda. During this time Council may provide comments and additional direction to the Commission;
   7. Organize and honor recipient(s) at City Council meeting.
2. Coordinate the Wall of Recognition event in the fall of each year. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
   1. Promote, publicize and encourage community awareness and participation in the Wall of Recognition process and event;
   2. Plan the Wall of Recognition event;
   3. Develop tools and selection criteria for determining worthy recipient(s);
   4. Solicit nominations for recipient(s) and inform City Council of the opening date of the call for nominations;
   5. Evaluate nominations and select recipient(s);
   6. Recommend recipient(s) to the City Council via Council agenda. During this time Council may provide comments and additional direction to the Commission; and
   7. Organize and honor recipient(s) at City Council meeting.
3. Other duties as may be assigned by the City Council, from time to time.