What is the membership structure and how are they selected?
The council shall initially consist of 19 persons, each of whom is or has been actively engaged in small and minority business development, either in private industry, in governmental service, or as a scholar of recognized achievement in the study of such matters. Initially, the council shall consist of members representing all regions of the state and shall include at least one member from each group identified within the definition of "minority person" in s. 288.703(3), considering also gender and nationality subgroups, and shall consist of the following:
(a) Four members consisting of representatives of local and federal small and minority business assistance programs or community development programs.
(b) Eight members composed of representatives of the minority private business sector, including certified minority business enterprises and minority supplier development councils, among whom at least two shall be women and at least four shall be minority persons.
(c) Two representatives of local government, one of whom shall be a representative of a large local government, and one of whom shall be a representative of a small local government.
(d) Two representatives from the banking and insurance industry.
(e) Two members from the private business sector, representing the construction and commodities industries.
(f) The chairperson of the Florida Black Business Investment Board or the chairperson's designee.
A candidate for appointment may be considered if eligible to be certified as an owner of a minority business enterprise, or if otherwise qualified under the criteria above. Vacancies may be filled by appointment of the Secretary, in the manner of the original appointment.
Each appointed member shall serve for a term of 2 years from the date of appointment, except that a vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Council shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair. The Council shall adopt internal procedures or bylaws necessary for efficient operations. The Secretary/Director may remove a Council member for cause.
Each member must attend each Advisory Council meeting, unless a personal emergency prevents attendance. The Secretary/Director reserves the unrestricted right to replace any member who is unable to fully participate as an active member of the Advisory Council. Substitutes or proxies are not permitted to represent a Council member.
A member must notify the Secretary/Director immediately of any change in circumstances that could result in a conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest, with OSD.