Board of Directors
Election of JAWS officers and new board members takes place at our annual Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP).
Eligibility for the JAWS board: Any active member who has attended CAMP twice can run for a seat on the board. Officers and board members serve one- or two-year terms. All are elected by a vote of the membership.
Job description for the board: The primary responsibility of the board of directors is to ensure that the organization operates in a fashion true to its stated mission and principles. The board provides continuity to the organization as individual members come and go.
The board is entrusted with two duties: the group’s growth and future, and to further the group’s goals. It is responsible for setting policies, making decisions, delegating work and ensuring the decisions are carried out. The board is legally responsible for governance of the organization and adherence to federal, state and local laws, audits done annually and income tax form filing.
A director’s responsibilities include:
- Maintain a current membership in JAWS and attend the annual conference.
- Know the bylaws, mission, purpose, goals, strategic plan, programs and services for the organization.
- Raise funds and actively seek financial support and donations for JAWS and its projects; The goal is for each board member to give or get $500.
- Prepare for and attend all board meetings. The board holds regular in-person meetings in spring and in fall. The date of the spring meeting is determined by the president in consultation with other board members. The fall meeting is held immediately preceding JAWS CAMP, at the same location. In addition, the board convenes every other month via conference call. The president and committee chairs will schedule additional meetings as needed.
- Build and guide long-range plans for membership, programming, fundraising, staffing and resources.
- Ensure programs and services address membership needs.
- Recruit members and attendees for annual conferences, contribute program ideas and encourage member engagement.
- Contribute and/or solicit stories for the JAWS newsletter, listserv, social media accounts and website.
- Review the minutes to ensure that critical matters, resolutions and topics of discussion have been adequately covered.
- Be willing to commit at least several hours per week of volunteer time to areas such as membership, social media, programming, fundraising and CAMP.