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Serve on the Board |
Early each January, the board looks to the membership to find new faces to serve on the Austin chapter board. We need your leadership, involvement and support to remain such a positive, creative group. Serving on the board isn't just about service to the chapter ? the returns on service are often much greater than the service itself.
Quick links:
Time Commitment
Nomination Process
Instructions and Deadlines
Position Listing
Board terms begin June 1 of each year and end on May 31 the following year. Many board members stay on the board after their first and second and years (and beyond) because it is rewarding on both a personal and professional level.
Time Commitment
Everyone has lives outside of their work, including family, so we understand that it is hard to fit anything extra in. But we wouldn't ask if it were not fun and worthwhile. Here is a typical board members' time commitment, less the hours spent performing your actual job duties (which can range from as little as two hours a month to more as time spent varies from position to position and seasonally with events).
Attending monthly board meeting - 1 hour
Attending monthly luncheon - 1.5 hours
Preparation (reports, etc.) for monthly board meeting - 30 minutes
Reading and responding to board emails - 1 hour per month
Attending other board members' events - approximately 2 hours every other month (Banner Brunch (annual awards banquet), Job Fair, Professional Development events, Membership Recruitment Events, etc.)
TOTAL - about five hours per month during the course of the year, plus your specific job duties.
If you are uncertain about the specific time commitment for any specific job, contact either President-Elect Laura Figueroa via email, or the person who currently holds that position (see list of positions). Also see the position descriptions below. You can also read more about board member expectations.
Nomination Process
There are no official elections to serve on the board; you simply need to nominate yourself for a position. You must be a member to serve on the board. The five-member nominating committee (who is elected by the membership to represent them) then does its best to match candidates with positions and prepares a slate of officers. The membership then votes to approve or reject the slate of officers.
Current board members are encouraged to serve again, and typically choose new positions each term or rotate off the board. In almost every instance, there are more positions than there are candidates. So everyone who wants to serve is matched. Some positions are more sought after, so candidates are encouraged to list at least three position preferences when expressing interest in board service to the president-elect. If you feel unqualified for a position (or don't have specific experience in that area), do not let that prevent you for going for that position. The outgoing board member or another board member will be willing to train.
Instructions and Deadlines
If interested in board service, please e-mail President-Elect Laura Figueroa
a current resume,
your choice of two to three position preferences in priority order, with any supporting statements you wish to include, and
any questions you may have.
The deadline to apply for the 2008-2009 board term is Feb. 18, 2008. The nominating committee will meet in late February and will propose a slate of officers by March 1 as dictated by chapter bylaws.
You will be notified of your position match at that time. The membership will vote to approve or reject the slate of officers at the March lunch meeting. The first board meeting for the 2008-2009 term will be in June, although an orientation event will be before that meeting.
Position Descriptions
President -The president of the Association for Women in Communications is responsible for training the board, coordinating the board?s activities, and representing the chapter in the community. The president also compiles reports to be sent to the AWC national office at the conclusion of the year.
President-Elect -The president-elect ensures the smooth transition of leadership from the president in the following year. The president-elect also represents the chapter at the annual AWC national conference. The president-elect serves as an advisor to the president and handles the yearly awards process for Banner Brunch.
Vice President of Programs -This position is responsible for securing speakers for the monthly luncheon meetings.
Vice Presidents of Membership Recruitment and Retention -Two board members are in charge of the duties of membership which include recruiting new members, assisting prospective members, and retaining current members. The vice presidents of membership compile a membership directory and conduct a member survey during alternating years.
Vice President of Development -The vice president of development is responsible for raising funds to establish an endowment to provide scholarships for outstanding communication students. Duties may include setting up sponsorship categories, selling sponsorships, tracking memorials and honorariums, and assisting with development activities surrounding the yearly Banner Brunch event.
Vice President Professional Development -The vice president of professional development plan and implement workshops and seminars throughout the year which offer training and the opportunity to learn of trends and developments in the communications workplace.
Vice President of Special Programs -The vice president of special programs coordinates the chapter?s annual awards banquet, Banner Brunch. Responsibilities include soliciting sponsors to underwrite the event, securing a key note speaker, coordinating banquet arrangements, and soliciting donations for gift bags and the silent auction.
Vice President of Community Affairs -The vice president of Community Affairs is responsible for leading a committee to organize community service initiatives for the chapter.Past projects have included, but are not limited to, working with Habitat for Humanity, a Get Out the Vote Drive, and coordinating clothing donations to Lisa's Hope Chest. If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of Austin individuals, learn more about this year's projects in the Get Involved section.
Vice President Career Services -Vice presidents of career services manage the AWC job bank, match members with mentors, and coordinate the resume critique program. They also coordinate the annual spring job fair at St. Edwards University.
Secretary -The secretary facilitates communication within the organization by distributing reports and minutes to board members.
Treasurer -The treasurer is responsible for bank account maintenance, monthly financial reports, reimbursement requests, obtaining and filing tax reports and an annual report to the National office, depositing funds, and attending monthly luncheons to receive money and issue receipts.
Immediate Past President -The immediate past president serves as an advisor and mentor to the board and membership. She also chairs the nominating committee which selects the following year?s board of directors.
Standing Committees
Newsletter Editor -The monthly AWC newsletter is produced and edited by the newletter editor. The newsletter editor is responsible for soliciting and writing articles, obtaining a donor for the printing services and/or selling advertisements, and coordinating any additional volunteer help that is required.
Student Chapter Liaison -The student chapter liaison acts as the communication and support link from the professional chapter to college chapters in the surrounding area, including the University of Texas at Austin Student Chapter. Serves as the contact person for businesses and individuals seeking to post internship and job opportunities in the student network. Administers the award of student scholarships. Plans activities with the student chapter, such as the Shadow Day event and mentor dinners, and serves as an informal advisor to the student chapter for their events.
Arrangements -The arrangements chair handles registration and meeting logistics for monthly meetings.
Publicity -The publicity chair notifies the media of AWC activities and events.
Ad Hoc Committees
Web Site Editor - Responsible for maintenance of the AWC chapter web site, sending email blasts to the membership, and moderating membership in the chapter listserve.
FreelanceAustin Liaison - Serves as a liaison between the AWC Board of Directors and the FreelanceAustin group.
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