Become a Member

General Description:

The Board of Directors is legally responsible for all activities of the agency. Major functions of the Board include: policy, planning, resource development, public and community relations, finance and personnel.

Requirements of Board Members:

Become fully acquainted with the organizations: history, mission, services, finances, relationships to other agencies, etc.
Attend and participate in scheduled (monthly) meetings of the organization.
Become active in at least one committee.
Represent the interests of the organization in the community.
Share your abilities, talents and knowledge with other Board Members and Coordinator.
Actively communicate your knowledge of the organization to your friends, acquaintances and the larger community.
Plan to attend agency events to increase knowledge and awareness of the organization’s activities.
Actively participate in promoting financial support for the organizations (fundraisers).
Financially contribute, according to one’s own means, to ensure 100% Board support.
Know the by-laws.

Time Requirement:

On average monthly Board Meetings are 2 hours plus additional responsibilities.

Term of Office:

2-year commitment minimum, 3 years is preferred.

Qualifications:

Willingness to become knowledgeable of the organization and have conviction about the mission and services of the organization.

Time and energy.

Knowledge of the community.

Experience in voluntary organizations and board governance helpful.

Examples Of Various Roles

In Citizen Advocacy:

Citizen Advocate: A competent, independent citizen acting with the support and sanction of a Citizen Advocacy office that is free from conflict of interest, who freely and voluntarily represents, as if they were his/her own, the interests of one person who is impaired.

Board Member: A person who shares the responsibility with other people in advancing the mission and sustaining the presence of Citizen Advocacy in the area. The board is a governing, policymaking board, which ultimately holds responsibility for the success of Citizen Advocacy in the community. Board Members are expected to be active, informed working members.

Committee Member: An individual who shares on a committee formed by the board, but is not a director of the board. A person may serve on one or more committees including: executive, public relations, fundraising, nominating or other as hoc committees. A committee member acts as a friend and associate with a focus on a specific area of activity. A committee member may also focus on a specific sector of the community such as business, labor, religious, etc.

Board Advisor/Developer: An external advisor and consultant to the board who possesses expertise to assist the board in its development. Areas of expertise may be on board governance, non-profit management, fundraising, public relations, etc.

Advocate Recruiter: An individual who assist the Citizen Advocacy Coordinator in finding a person who will become an advocate for a particular individual by talking with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other people in one’s town. Or acting as a “name giver” where names are given to the coordinator to contact using the recruiter’s name as a lead in.

Advocate Associate: A person who posses’ skills and knowledge useful to advocates and the person they are matched with. An advocate associate can offer advice, support and perspective on such matters as health, legal issues, employment, housing, strategic planning and various technical skills.

Community Associate: A person who agrees to spread the word about Citizen Advocacy to friends, neighbors and community associations.

Financial Sponsor: A person who gives financial support to sustain Citizen Advocacy in an area, either personally or professionally. Such support is purely voluntary.

Advisory Council Member: A leader in the community who participates on the Advisory Council whose purpose is to identify financial and human resources in support of Citizen Advocacy.