Newsletter | Jul/Aug 2010


STEERING COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS DUE AUGUST 30.

by Joanne Winship
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN TO FILL THREE NEW STEERING COMMITTEE POSITIONS. Consider nominating yourself or others to serve a 2 year term beginning in December 2010. Nominations are due Aug. 30 and will be voted on at the October 19, 2010 Annual Business meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to share and act on your ideas for enhancing programs and activities at OWA. Read below for details.

Over the past six months the New Steering Committee has met over four times and has discussed many important and substantial additional programs to meet the OWA goals. It has been a rewarding and fun experience. However, it has become clear that to meet our objectives we need additional Steering Committee Members to maintain and grow the organization. The Steering Committee has decided to increase the number of Steering Committee Members from five to a total of seven and are requesting that members nominate or self nominate “members in good standing” to begin a two year term beginning on Dec 2010. As Judy Rowe’s term will be ending at the end of this year, the membership will be asked to vote three new members onto the Steering Committee. Judy has graciously accepted the responsibility of remaining as the Treasurer.

Nominations:
  • Any member in good standing may nominate themselves or another member in good standing to be considered for a position on the Steering Committee.
  • By August 30th, 2010, 45 days prior to the annual meeting, all nominees shall submit a one paragraph biography and a one paragraph statement of why they would like to serve on the steering committee. These statements will be sent out with the annual meeting agenda and posted on the OWA website for member viewing.
  • Steering Committee duties shall be detailed and posted with the call for nominations at least 90 days prior to the annual meeting.
  • Nominations of members in good standing may be made at the annual meeting. The member nominated at the annual meeting must be present and in agreement of the nomination.
    Steering Committee:

    The Steering Committee shall be composed of 7 OWA members in good standing. They shall have two year terms. Each year there shall be an election for three or four new Steering Committee members to fill the vacancies of the three or four Steering Committee members rotating off the committee. Steering Committee members shall serve not more than two consecutive terms.
    The duties of the Steering Committee shall include:
    • Meet at least bi-monthly to plan and implement activities and programs.
    • Plan and coordinate 6 event meetings, two of which include the annual meeting and the December Holiday gathering.
    • Foster networking opportunities with introductions, suggestions, and writing of newsletter articles.
    • Meet all legal requirements required of the organization in a timely manner.
    • Each member to take responsibility for at least one major task area:
      1. Membership Coordinator: Administer membership applications, renewals, and database. Enter new names into database. Coordinate with health plan liaison status of members and information as to whether they are in good standing and dues paid up. Coordinate mentoring program.
      2. Finance Coordinator: Track income and expenses and prepare monthly financial statement for Steering Committee and annual meeting review and approval. Coordinate the filing of annual tax return. Ensure business documents are filed properly with financial institutions and the state. Administer scholarship program if program is offered.
      3. Newsletter Coordinator:
        • Prepare and publish the monthly newsletter for online distribution and web content.
        • Solicit membership for relevant content contributions, photographs and announcements for publications.
        • Post the calendar of events in the newsletter.
        • Post the Steering Committee approved minutes in the newsletter.

      4. Program Coordinator:
        • Coordinate calendar of events and publicity with Newsletter and Information coordinators.
        • Coordinate the planning of the annual retreat for the general membership.
        • Coordinate the rotation of responsibility for general meetings and check that the following are done by Steering Committee member responsible:
           Arrange speaker(s)
           Arrange meeting place
           Coordinate refreshments
           Send email reminder of event, time and place
           Arrange for membership applications to be at event and OWA brochure or newsletter, and cash for change for event fee.
           Provide or arrange for introduction about OWA, speaker and members in attendance including steering committee.
           Arrange for speaker fee or hospitality gift

      5. Policy and Procedures Coordinator: Establish annual review process of policies and procedures, coordinate membership discussion and comment on policies, procedures or bylaws and prepare for annual meeting approval vote on revisions or amendments. Detail duties of steering committee positions for nominating process. Prepare notification, agenda, nominating and other business materials for the annual meeting. Coordinate the annual planning retreat for old and new steering committee members.
      6. Information Coordinator: Oversee website development and maintenance. Respond to inquiries from the website. Ensure that website is dynamic, well designed, responsive and current. Coordinate surveys to the membership.
      7. Special Events and Benefits Coordinator: Coordinate the flow of information and business between the Steering Committee and the Board of Directors, the Health Plan Liaison, and the Retreat Coordinator.



View this page in your browser