State Advisory Council Member Approval Policy
Goal
NFC looks to establish state level advisory councils to provide subject matter expertise, media coverage, technical help, and agency/organization liaison to state boards. This will allow us to take advantage of knowledge, experience, and connections that might not otherwise be available to state chapters.
Background
Unlike state boards, state and national advisory council positions are non-voting. This allows persons who cannot hold a voting position within an organization for professional or personal reasons to participate in NFC.
Advisory council members must bring something to the table that the average board member does not. They should have credentials, skills, experience, and/or affiliations that would be helpful to NFC at the state and/or national level.
Membership in NFC at the advisory council level for existing chapters is based on nomination at the state level with approval at the national level. Approval is based on the results of phone conversations with the State Chair and the applicable National Vice Chair (North or South) to determine if it is a good fit for all involved.
For new chapters, membership in an advisory council is driven by interest on the part of the candidate with approval at the national level. Approval is based on the results of a phone conversation with the appropriate National Vice Chair to determine if it is a good fit for all involved.
National Vice Chairs will involve the National Chair in the vetting process if they feel they need a second opinion.
When communicating with potential advisory council members, avoid the use of terms that imply it is a done deal until they have been fully vetted and approved. Consider using verbiage such as, “If you would like to be considered for a position on the Maine advisory council…”
NFC meetings are open to board and advisory council members only. State advisory council candidates should not be invited to attend meetings until they have been fully vetted; have provided contact info, a bio, and several photos; and have been loaded to the applicable state chapter webpage.
Once an advisory council member has been added to the NFC website, they will be tapped on an as-needed basis. They are not expected to keep abreast with chapter projects and issues, attend meetings where they can, or volunteer for projects.
The applicable state chair is responsible for making sure all candidates get properly vetted, provide us with a bio and pictures, and have been posted to the appropriate state page.
Summary
The process in place for recruiting and vetting advisory council members helps makes sure that NFC advisory councils are staffed with qualified people who can add value, and understand and embrace the NFC mission.