Managing Partners Board Job

The key reason for a county-wide literacy coalition is to bring the community together to address an issue so large that no one organization can solve it alone – the scale is too great to address without a shared commitment and community will for change. The literacy needs in Madison County are greater than the capacity of current service provision to address and therefore implementation of the community’s literacy plan and governance process must be supported by community leaders willing to take on the issue.

Roles:

A role of the Managing Partners is to inspire the community to take action. The Managing Partners have the civic influence and the power to make change. They have a vision for how change will happen and can capitalize on local strengths and existing partnerships. A Managing Partner brings:

High level strategic vision

• Networks of influence
• Community respect
• Ability to broker partnerships
  • Regional leadership
• Resource impact
• Passion!

Responsibilities:

Commitment of time to attend regularly scheduled meetings.

• Participation in meetings.
• Demonstration of ownership of the literacy plan by selecting an Endorsement Pledge. This action may connect with current organizational mission, tie with an upcoming initiative, involve literacy infusion, or build on the support of current initiatives. It must be something that is measureable, can be supported with cash or in-kind and aligns with a priority in the community literacy plan. The endorsement process models a pathway for other organizations to embrace the plan, support the goals, and identify action steps to lead to 100% literacy through 100% community engagement.

Diversity of Representation:

The Managing Partners agree to strive for inclusive representation of the county. This goal includes diversity in partnership roles, geography, gender, age, race, etc. that is reflective of the county as a whole. Efforts will be made to replace sector representation as vacancies on the Committee occur.

The Managing Partners will strive to include all coalition partner types such as government, education, business, community-based literacy providers, social services, faith-based, civic organizations, adult learners, and other coalitions. 

Frequency of Meetings:

During the initial start-up year, the Managing Partners agree to meet monthly. The annual organizational meeting will be held in August each year in support of the organization’s fiscal year of September 1 to August 31.

Length of Term:

Managing Partners, generally, will commit to 3-year terms. To create balanced turnover of the first class of partners, a rotation schedule for replacement by new members will be determined.

Managing Partners can serve for two consecutive terms. A Managing Partner has to take a one-year hiatus before being invited back onto the committee.

Committee Size:

The Managing Partners will strive to maintain a committee size of 11 to 15 partners. The Committee Chair can name interim committee members to fill vacant seats, as needed, until full committee vote at the annual organizational meeting. 

Voting:

A majority is required to approve an action of the committee. Majority is defined as more than fifty percent of current board members registering a vote. Members do not need to be present to vote. Votes may be submitted by phone or electronically to the Board Cair or designated party.