The Role of Committees at NEAR

Overview

Having vibrant, active committees is a priority at NEAR. Committees serve to provide the Board of Directors with ideas, input, feedback, and creative suggestions. Committees also function to provide volunteer assistance with projects that could not be accomplished solely by the paid staff. Note: Committees do not set policy or make policy decisions, but instead make recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Annual Activities

Many NEAR Committees work on the same programs every year, such as the Political Involvement Committee’s oversight of the Annual Legislative Meet & Greet Reception. In cases such as these, Committees must notify the Board of Directors of any significant changes they would recommend for a new year’s program.

New Programs

When Committees are developing new programs or activities, they must submit their plan to the Board of Directors in the form of a recommendation. In cases such as these, Committees must notify the Board of Directors before they undertake any action or communicate their plans to others.

Budgeted & Unbudgeted Expenses

Anticipated income and expenses for standing events have been included in the Annual Budget. Committees planning functions or events should review the event budget before beginning work on the event. Committees are expected to meet or exceed the bottom line on their events. Should a Committee propose a new event to be added to the schedule, an event budget with at least a break even bottom line must be submitted with the proposal. The budget will be reviewed by the Finance Committee prior to the Board of Directors considering the proposal.

Consideration of Proposals

Committees also consider proposals made to the Board of Directors for a recommendation. For example, if a member proposes a new government affairs policy, the Political Involvement Committee would be asked to review the suggestion and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors before the Directors consider the request. Likewise, if a Committee proposes spending money, that request will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for a recommendation to the Board of Directors before the Directors consider the request. Please note that timing should be carefully considered in cases where another committee will be asked to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.

Annual Report

In addition to leading meetings and setting meeting agendas, Committee Chairmen are expected to write a brief report of their Committee’s accomplishments at year-end for distribution to the membership. | See 2014 Committee Reports