Importance of Advisory Councils

ADVISORY COUNCIL

This Group Differs from a Board of Directors. Advisory Council DO NOT have the authority to determine policy or make direct decisions about local program operations..

What is an Advisory Council?

An advisory council is a voluntary collection of individuals.

Typically advisory councils are intended to connect the agency with individuals who possess unique knowledge and skills; to supplement and complement a board’s work (director) – not duplicate or intrude upon it.

What is an Advisory Council

An advisory council can help an agency meet its mission!

Advisory Councils are NOT boards.

They are NOT legal bodies and cannot assumeresponsibility for the governance of theorganization.

Advisory Councils have NO legal responsibilities.

What is an Advisory Council ?

What is an Advisory Council?What is an Advisory Council?

Advisory councils are NOT mandated by Advisory councils are NOT mandated by state statute…. Sometimes mandated by state statute…. Sometimes mandated by government and foundation funders.government and foundation funders.

Advisory councils serve as “Advisory councils serve as “advisors.”advisors.”

Advisory councils are vital links between Advisory councils are vital links between the agency and the communities they the agency and the communities they serveserve..

What is an Advisory Council?What is an Advisory Council?

Advisory councils provide “crucial” Advisory councils provide “crucial” input to agencies.input to agencies.

DO’S of Advisory Councils GROUPSDO’S of Advisory Councils GROUPS

DO’SDO’Sprovide planning and feedback of programs provide planning and feedback of programs

and activitiesand activitieson going communication with older on going communication with older

individuals (participants)individuals (participants)on going announcements to the older on going announcements to the older

individuals about roles, responsibilities, and individuals about roles, responsibilities, and activities as a memberactivities as a member

advocate on behalf of older individualsadvocate on behalf of older individualsLISTEN to the issues of older individualsLISTEN to the issues of older individuals

Do’s of an Advisory CouncilDo’s of an Advisory Council

Participate in fund raising activitiesParticipate in fund raising activities Testify at Legislature for fundsTestify at Legislature for funds Attend Public HearingsAttend Public Hearings Identify needs of the elderlyIdentify needs of the elderly On going communication with the On going communication with the

elderlyelderly Attend meetingsAttend meetings Letter writing CampaignsLetter writing Campaigns

DO’s of an Advisory CouncilDO’s of an Advisory Council

Assist in surveysAssist in surveys Advise on development of new programsAdvise on development of new programs Assist in identification of resourcesAssist in identification of resources Recruit clientsRecruit clients Actively participate at program levelActively participate at program level < Meetings,< Meetings,

< Assist in review of program policies , < Assist in review of program policies , <Volunteer for committees (Capital <Volunteer for committees (Capital

Outlay,Outlay, Legislative Requests, Request for Legislative Requests, Request for

Proposals, etc.) Proposals, etc.)

Advisory Council should Not:Advisory Council should Not:

Supervising employeesSupervising employees Involvement in personnel issuesInvolvement in personnel issues Self interestSelf interest Financial responsibilityFinancial responsibility Developing policiesDeveloping policies Make decisions regarding Make decisions regarding

program/policyprogram/policy Administer program functionsAdminister program functions

Advisory Council should Not:Advisory Council should Not:

Fix a crisisFix a crisis Determine pay raisesDetermine pay raises Undermine the program’s crediUndermine the program’s credibilitybility

Advisory CouncilsAdvisory Councils

Advisory Councils SHOULD be formed Advisory Councils SHOULD be formed for specific goals.for specific goals.

Advisory Councils CANNOT be effective Advisory Councils CANNOT be effective IF their members do not have clear IF their members do not have clear understanding of what is expected of understanding of what is expected of them.them.

Effective Advisory Councils do NOT form Effective Advisory Councils do NOT form themselves.themselves.

Advisory CouncilsAdvisory Councils

Questions to ConsiderQuestions to Consider

1.1.What is the purpose of the advisory What is the purpose of the advisory council?council?

What does the organization want it to accomplish?What does the organization want it to accomplish?

What role will it play in the organization?What role will it play in the organization?

2.2.What will the organization expect the What will the organization expect the individual members of the group to do in individual members of the group to do in order to achieve the above purpose?order to achieve the above purpose?

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3.3. To whom this group report?To whom this group report?

4.4. Who will have the authority to select Who will have the authority to select membersmembers

5.5. Who will provide the staff support to Who will provide the staff support to orient, educate, and work with members orient, educate, and work with members of the group?of the group?

6.6. How will the organization recruit How will the organization recruit members of the group.members of the group.

7.7. How large should the group be to carry How large should the group be to carry out its purpose?out its purpose?

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8.8. Will it need subcommittees?Will it need subcommittees?

9.9. What is the nature of the relationship What is the nature of the relationship between the governing board, the between the governing board, the staff, and the advisory council?staff, and the advisory council?

10.10. What are the financial costs of the What are the financial costs of the advisory council to the organization on advisory council to the organization on an annual basis(e.g. travel, meals, etc.)an annual basis(e.g. travel, meals, etc.)

Advisory CouncilAdvisory Council

An Advisory Council is only as good as its An Advisory Council is only as good as its advice – and the people who are willing to advice – and the people who are willing to listen.listen.

Advisory Council can add significant value Advisory Council can add significant value in promoting the mission of the in promoting the mission of the organization IF created with a clear organization IF created with a clear purpose.purpose.

Advisory CouncilAdvisory Council

Advisory Councils can provide a nonprofit Advisory Councils can provide a nonprofit agency with good ideas, good community agency with good ideas, good community relations, good program concepts – even relations, good program concepts – even good board members----good board members----

In return, a nonprofit organization must In return, a nonprofit organization must be open to good structure, and above all be open to good structure, and above all it must be open to good advice!it must be open to good advice!

Advisory CouncilsAdvisory Councils