"FROC" is an acronym for Fair River Oaks Council, it originally consisted of a coalition of three neighborhood groups - Fairview, Riverdale, and Five Oaks. The Fair River Oaks Council preceded the establishment of the North Central Priority Board, which adopted the acronym as its unofficial name and is still known by "FROC" rather than the official designation. The boundaries for the FROC Priority Board are Riverside Drive on the east, Riverview Avenue on the south, Salem Avenue on the west, and the City limits on the north.Under the current configuration, FROC is divided into 30 voting precincts. Each precinct has an elected representative who sits on the Board. Representatives are elected to serve a three year term.
Each of the 13 recognized neighborhood associations (Riverdale, Upper Riverdale, Norther Redcrest River, Sandalwood Park, Sunnyview Catalpa, Rock 'N Woods, Mount Auburn, Mount Vernon, Hillview, Santa Clara, Five Oaks, Grafton Hills and McPherson Town) in the FROC area also have an elected/appointed representative on the Board. Neighborhood representatives have to meet the same election criteria as precinct representatives and serve for three year terms that are renewed annually by their respective neighborhood association. Total membership of the FROC Board is 36 representatives.
2. What is the Priority Board's Role?
The FROC Priority Board represents the neighborhood constituency in planning and setting priorities. The Board assumes leadership for coordinating and guiding the efforts of the residents in planning for community improvement. Specifically, its leadership performs the following:
A better understanding of the FROC Priority Board's role can be gained by reviewing the FROC Constitution.
3. What is a Board Member's Responsibility?
The Board member must also stay abreast of the services that are being provided to the community in order to prepare a comprehensive priority statement. A member's active participation on the Board, knowledge of area problems and resources for solutions, and ongoing communications with the member constituents, provides the Fair River Oaks area with a concerned, dedicated group of citizen volunteers who wish to make it a better place to live.
4. Where Do I Go for Help?
The Office is administered by the City of Dayton, Department of Planning and Community Development. The FROC Staffing Team consists of:
The role of the staff is to act as a liaison between City government and the Community. The staff assists in the implementation of the citizen involvement strategies designated by the Board and presents them to the City government to be used in its decision making process. Neighborhood and business associations are also encouraged and organized with the assistance of staff personnel. The FROC Staff is available for consultation and assistance to Board members and their constituents.
5. How does FROC fit into City Government?
The Priority Board Site offices and staff are funded through the City budget and are directly responsible to the Division of Citizen Participation which is part of the Department of Planning and Community Development. The work program and objectives for the staff are determined by the Department and reflect the City's goals for neighborhood revitalization. The objectives also include the provision of technical assistance to the Priority Board and its committees. The Priority Board is a voluntary, advisory body to the City receiving assistance from the staff.
6. How is a FROC Priority Board meeting run?
After the adjournment of the Administrative Council meeting, the Priority Board meeting is begun. An agenda which is predetermined by the Executive Committee, highlights the current activities and concerns of the committees and board members.
7. Does the Priority Board system work?
Our creditability nationally is also high. Numerous citizen participation activities helped the City of Dayton win the "All America City Award" twice - in 1978 and 1991.
The Board provides a forum where citizens can discuss problems which confront their North Central neighborhoods. The Priority Board concept stems from the Model Cities involvement in Dayton in the late 1960's. In 1971, Dayton was divided into 6 priority board areas; and in June 1978, the Downtown Priority Board was established, making 7 priority boards for the City of Dayton (Northwest, Innerwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, Downtown and FROC). Priority boards were established to provide citizen participation in the decision making process of Dayton's city government. An informal resolution was adopted by the City Commission in June 1973. This resolution recognized the Priority Boards as being the official Citizen Participation structure for the City of Dayton.
The main role of a Priority Board member is to formulate, initiate and evaluate neighborhood policies. A board member's responsibilities are:
The FROC Priority Board Site Office is located at 903 West Fairview Avenue (the former fire station), at the corner of W. Fairview Avenue and Catalpa Drive. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 937-333-2333.
Dayton City government feels it can best serve its citizens by understanding their needs and their expectations. The Priority Boards have been established to provide the vehicle for citizen involvement in City government. Each board has a site office which is administered by city staff whose role is to encourage citizen involvement in the decision making process of city government, to provide a means of communication between citizens and city government, to provide technical assistance to citizen groups, to manage complaint resolution, and to enhance neighborhood leadership.
Each Priority Board meeting follows the "Robert's Rules of Order of Parliamentary Procedure." The monthly Priority Board meeting is divided into two parts. The Administrative Council is comprised of middle management representatives from various governmental departments which provide direct services to the community. Citizens can have direct contact with the people or departments that handle many of the citizen's concerns.
Citizen participation in City government was a new idea in 1971 but has become a way of life here in Dayton. Citizens look to the Priority Boards and their staffs to resolve many neighborhood issues, to monitor City activities and decisions that affect their neighborhoods, to inform City government of community needs, to assist them in self help projects and the development of neighborhood groups. Numerous organizations have been developed in FROC. Projects have been funded and monitored. Services have been increased and targeted for special problems. Board members have become better informed and have increased their ability to serve their neighbors and their communities. City Commission and administration has come to rely on Priority Boards for information and advice on many neighborhood issues.
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