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CHAPTER 3 <br />GOVERNING BODIES AND THE <br />OUTLIER SYNDROME <br />By: Tami A. Tanoue, CIRSA Executive Director <br />Those who have been working with municipalities for an extended period have observed <br />a phenomenon that occurs at the governing body level. Let's call this phenomenon the <br />Outlier Syndrome. <br />The Outlier is the "lone wolf" who sits on a city council or board of trustees and <br />steadfastly refuses to act like a member of the team. Even while isolating himself or herself <br />as the only person on the losing side of just about every vote, the Outlier manages to create <br />havoc with the rest of the body. The Outlier may be obstreperous and obstructionist. The <br />Outlier may refuse to recognize and respect the norms that guide the rest of the body's <br />conduct. The Outlier may position himself or herself as the only "ethical" or "transparent" <br />member of the body. The Outlier's every statement and action seems to be aimed at <br />preserving that self -assumed distinction rather than making any concrete achievements. <br />Sometimes, a governing body is unfortunate enough to have more than one Outlier. <br />Have you ever experienced the Outlier Syndrome in action? We call it a syndrome because <br />of the recognizable features or symptoms that seem to fester whenever an Outlier sits on a <br />governing body. Do you have an Outlier on your governing body? Could you possibly be <br />an Outlier? Should the Outlier Syndrome be viewed as an affliction or malady? And if so, <br />what can be done? We'll explore these questions in more detail below. <br />Power, Goals, and the Outlier <br />To understand the Outlier's impact on a governing body, let's start with the idea that <br />elected officials can only act as part of a body - a collaborative decision -making body. You <br />can search throughout the laws governing statutory municipalities, or just about any home <br />rule charter, and you'll likely find no powers or duties that are to be exercised by a singular <br />elected official (other than the mayor, who may have certain defined responsibilities). This <br />means that, as elected officials, the only way you can get anything accomplished is to have <br />a majority of the governing body on your side. <br />It's likely that each elected official has an individual list of goals, goals that those who voted <br />for you want you to accomplish. But your goals can be accomplished only if they're part of <br />the goals of the body as a whole. That means your success depends on creating a consensus <br />17 <br />