Chapter Leadership Roles
Chapter Leadership Roles – SAMPLE
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is a subset of the board of directors authorized to conduct business in between meetings of the full board. An executive committee is made up of the chapter officers and a specified number of other active members elected each year. The committee serves as the governing body of the chapter and is guided by the chapter bylaws.
Terms: Most executive committee terms are 2 years and members are elected in alternate years to ensure continuity and experience on the committee. Terms begin on ___ or upon election at the chapter annual meeting and are completed 24 months later or when a successor is elected at the annual meeting the year the term expires.
Time Commitment: Executive committees generally meet at least three or four times a year for approximately 2 hours and committee members are expected to make every effort to attend. Additional time varies per chapter based on the number of events held and most events take place during the fall and spring months. Installation of new members occurs at the chapter’s annual meeting.
Responsibilities Include:
- Attend the executive committee meetings and various chapter events.
- Make decisions on expenditure of funds and general chapter governance.
- Support the goals set by the chapter president.
- Participate in discussions, and offer opinions and observations to help the chapter committees develop programs, services, and policies that serve all or a specific segment of members.
- Serve on special task forces or sub-committees as assigned by officers.
- Suggest nominees for leadership and committee chair appointments.
- Encourage colleagues to get involved in activities and events.
Chapter Officers
President
The president serves as the leader of the chapter. With the support and assistance of the other chapter officers and executive committee oversees all chapter activities and governance and provides direction to help achieve general and chapter specific goals. Responsibilities include calling for, setting agenda and presiding over all chapter executive committee meetings. The president should also monitor their goals and chapter activities and maintain communication with the other officers, the chapter executive committee, and chapter committee chairs.
Time commitment: The president often requires the most amount of time among the officers. In addition advancing the goals and work of the committees, the president must allocate sufficient time for planning and presiding at meetings. In addition, the president has communications responsibilities nearly every week.
Treasurer
The treasurer is a chapter officer responsible for overseeing chapter funds and presenting the financial reports at each executive committee meeting. A report of the chapter’s financial transactions is prepared and provided by the treasurer at each board meeting. The treasurer maintains copies of all financial reports.
Time commitment: This varies by chapter based on the number of events and volume of activity. Reviewing financial records, preparing for, and attending executive committee meetings will take some time each month. In addition to attending the executive committee meetings. Chapter treasurers are also encouraged to attend chapter events which will require additional time.
Secretary
The secretary is one of the chapter officers and is required to attend all executive committee meetings and take notes. It is best to distribute the notes in a timely manner but must be provided to the committee prior to the next meeting. Some chapters have additional meetings or conference calls just for officers.
Time commitment: This varies by chapter based on the number of events and volume of activity. In addition to the executive committee meetings some chapters have officer meetings on a periodic basis. It is important to realize that taking notes at meetings does not have to be a daunting task. It should simply be a recording of those in attendance, summary of agenda items addressed, decisions and action items, and new business. Additional time may be needed for preparing and proofing notes. Chapter secretaries are also encouraged to attend chapter events.
President-Elect
The president-elect acts in the absence or disability of the president and carries on all the functions of the president. The president-elect should help advance the chapter’s goals and to monitor and assist the work of committees.
Chapter presidents-elect should try to attend several chapter events. If the chapter does not have a budget committee the president-elect with the assistance of the other chapter officers may also set the chapter budget for the following year.
Time commitment: This will vary by chapter, but chapter president and president-elect have the biggest time commitment- at least a few hours a month spent in communications with team members, in addition to meeting and event preparation and attendance.
Adapted with Permission 9-10