The first step is to convene a planning group of citizens and members of the institution or agency staff to identify problems the council can help solve, determine the general purpose and initial objectives of the council, and draft an organizational structure. Council members can then be selected. They should represent a cross section of the community geographically, racially, and economically. Juvenile justice professionals should not be voting members. After the orientation and training of council members, bylaws should be written to define terms of office of council members, mandate the council's purpose, and specify operational procedures. A council should have regular meeting dates and a specific location. Council effectiveness depends upon the sponsoring institution or agency providing the resources necessary to do the job. Council activities may include conducting surveys to enhance the sponsoring agency's decisionmaking, monitoring programs, mounting public awareness programs, and building a base of public support for quality juvenile justice.