In a Community-Based Organization (CBO), the organization is owned and operated by the community it serves, as represented by the members of the board. Operating such an entity, even one of moderate size such as LV Wayne, often calls for detailed discussion and specialized knowledge. For this reason, the Board of Directors is able to utilize committees which may be mostly comprised of non-Board Members. The time commitment of such members is severely reduced, and community residents who feel they have some expertise to offer are able to do so without overextending themselves. Committees usually meet at the discretion of the Board, although the Executive Director or the Board President may ask that a committee meet to deal with specific issues. After careful study of the facts of the matter at hand, the committee members will express their opinions and reach a decision. Based on that decision, the Board Representative on the Committee (who is often the Committee Chair) will inform the Board of the committee's recommendation and the reasons behind it. Often, upon approval of the board, committee members will be called upon to use their expertise as representatives of LV Wayne in their own communities - such as by making phone calls, speaking with people or groups, writing news articles, etc.
There are currently five standing committees. Ad Hoc Committees are formed from time to time to deal with specific issues, such as fundraisers, recruitment, publicity, etc. The five committees are: Finance, Nominating, Personnel, Program, and Public Relations.
The Finance Committee is one of the most active, and as with most Non-Profits, one of the most critical. Finance is responsible for setting the financial direction of the affiliate (with help and input from the Board), overseeing fund-raisers, advising the board during times of financial surplus and deficit, and maintaining and overseeing the regular financial operations, including creation and adherence to a budget, monitoring of expenditures, etc. Although Finance comes up with the details, it is ultimately the Board of Directors which holds financial responsibility for the organization. Finance Committee Members may call upon the board and staff to carry out specific actions affecting the organization, such as volunteering for fundraisers, talking to prospective donors, etc.
Also, LV Wayne employs a bookkeeper who actually manages the money within the guidelines the Board dictates (usually at the recommendation of Finance). Currently, one paid staff person is responsible for maintaining records concurrent to the bookkeepers, so there is internal verification. Also, the Finance Committee Chair serves as Treasurer for LV Wayne, ensuring that oversight is completed. Finally, at LV Wayne, only the bookkeeper, the Board President, or the Treasurer are authorized to withdraw money or to write checks, making mismanagement of funds difficult. Financial procedures at LV Wayne are contained in a Policy Manual, and they are extremely tight.
Currently, Finance is hoping to recruit several members interested in organizing and participating in fundraisers for the affiliate. The Treasurer would like to eventually form a subcommittee in charge of fundraising, so that efforts may be continuous. If your expertise is in other financial areas, however, please do apply.
The Nominating Committee is one of the least demanding in terms of time commitment and one of the most critical in terms of function. While Nominating may not meet for long periods, it is this committee which will decide what skills, experiences, and personalities the organization needs to serve on the Board of Directors, and which will bring up relevant issues if a nomination is inappropriate. Nominating also decides what the review process should be for each potential Director. Often, the nomination process is carried out by members of this committee, especially since there are relatively small demands on Nominating Committee Members' time. Members of this committee should not be entirely responsible for recruitment, however, as this is a Board duty; also, the Board will set the direction for the organization, and often make suggestions as to what background new Directors need to help LV Wayne achieve its goals. It is rather the expertise in noting and dealing with weaknesses on the Board, recruiting skills, and interviewing skills which are required for this committee.
One of the more active committees, Personnel is in charge of recommendations regarding paid staff, and makes recommendations for volunteer staff as well (although this latter is often left up to paid staff). Personnel makes decisions about salary, benefits, job descriptions, employee policies, and conducts periodic evaluations of the Executive Director. Personnel also updates the Employee Handbook, settles disputes the Executive Director brings to them, and creates policies and guidelines when issues arise. In addition, members of this committee will make recommendations to the Board regarding new hires, usually in conjunction with the Finance Committee. Due to the large number of duties, Personnel is very interested in welcoming new members to their committee.
The Program Committee is closest to the work actually done by volunteers, and closest to the services actually provided. While many people enjoy working on this committee, it is important that each member be highly cognizant of the limitations funding place upon the organization; one specific way this affects Program is the amount of time available to paid staff to complete tasks within their allotted work hours. Of course, if committee members are willing to volunteer time outside of their meetings, more program activities become possible. People with experience in education, especially adult education, program design, evaluation, and/or implementation, social work, or with past exposure to populations served by LV Wayne would be appropriate for this committee, as would experienced Tutors.
For those who consider themselves "People-persons," or who have relationships with print, radio, or television media, the Public Relations Committee can put you to good use. Anyone with a marketing or PR background would be ideal for this committee. LV Wayne, as a CBO, or community-owned organization, needs to maintain excellent relations with the public. Not only is LVWC responsible to the communities it serves, but it draws from those communities for both Tutors and Students, making up the vast majority of our target populations. If public relations are poor, it takes more time and energy to recruit tutors and students; people are less willing to support the organization with time, goods, services, or money; and there is a general air of distrust about Literacy Volunteers in general. On the other hand, good public relations result in proper community ownership and input, as well as an increase in all forms of support.
Another important aspect of Public Relations is the responsibility LV Wayne holds, as the only adult literacy organization serving Wayne County, to increase awareness of the extent and effects of illiteracy. Illiteracy is sometimes called the "hidden factor," as most preliterate and semi-literate adults are unwilling to openly admit the need to improve reading skills. Even those with adequate or superior reading skills often feel uncomfortable speaking about the effect illiteracy has on their lives. Many people mistakenly believe that if an adult is not literate, either that person failed school or the school system failed that person. The truth is, there are many, many reasons people do not learn to read and write well, and Literacy Volunteers is just one part of an educational continuum which should be available to every adult in need. But it takes a well-organized, consistent, ongoing PR campaign to share this information with Wayne County residents.
