Wichita’s Young Leaders
W is the largest young professional organization in Kansas and has been affecting change in our community for 15 years. Our organization’s success would not be possible without the talented leaders who pour themselves into our mission. We are calling for Wichita’s young leaders to nominate themselves or their peers to help lead W through our Board of Trustees.
The W Board of Trustees is the decision making body for W,
responsible for providing direction and strategic focus for the organization.
The Board of Trustees is ultimately accountable to the Chamber Board of
Directors.
W works hard to balance continuity of service with the infusion of new leaders and ideas. The Board is made up of 9 W members, 2 community advisers, and the W Director. We invite all members of the W community to put forward names of individuals who should be considered for these important leadership positions.
Thank you for your interest in nominating a leader in the W community for our Board of Trustees. Nominations close at 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19. Below you will find descriptions and expectations for our Board of Trustees. Please review this prior to nominating yourself or someone else.
Board of Trustees Expectations
W’s Board meets every second Monday of every month, beginning January 11. Meetings are held at The Chamber (350 W Douglas Ave) from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, unless otherwise noted.
As the highest leadership body of the organization, the Board is responsible for the following:
- Determining the mission and purpose of the organization
- Providing feedback on the performance of the Executive Director
- Supporting strategic and organizational planning
- Approving and monitoring W’s programs and services
- Enhancing W’s public image
- Assessing its own performance as the governing body of W
- Assisting with fundraising and resource development
Each individual trustee is expected to:
- Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs
- Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization
- Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to fully achieve W’s mission
- Maintain active W membership
- Help identify connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputation standing, and can influence public policy
- Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings
- Attend a reasonable number of W events and programs, to include at least one event/program per action team
- Fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for W to advance its mission, in collaboration with W staff
Board of Trustees Individual Role Descriptions
Chair-Elect (1 Position)
The Chair-Elect serves for a period of one year and will become the Chair of the W Board of Trustees the following year, unless they elect not to serve as Chair or are not fulfilling their duties as Chair-Elect. This is a voting position on the Board.
To be eligible, the Chair-Elect must:
- be an active W Member in good standing
- be currently serving on a W Action Team (when nominated and during their year as Chair-Elect); they may not be in the role of Chair, Vice-Chair or Secretary of an Action Team or Program Committee during their term as Chair-Elect
The Chair-Elect is expected to:
- assist the Chair in the Chair’s responsibilities
- participate in and plan long-range W planning efforts
- serve as the Chair in the Chair’s absence
- assist in soliciting new W members
- work with Chair to build community partnerships
- serve as an active member of the Chamber Board of Directors for a one year term beginning in January and finishing in December
- actively promote W
Volunteer Representative (1 Position)
The Volunteer Representative serves for a period of two
years and is a voting position on the Board.
To be eligible, the Volunteer Representative must:
- be an active W Member in good standing
- be serving on a W Action Team or Program Committee at the time of nomination
- continue serving on an Action Team for the duration of the term, but not concurrently serve in the position of Chair of an Action Team
- be nominated through the annual nominating process and provide all requested additional information for committee consideration
The Volunteer Representative is expected to:
- maintain a current W membership AND maintain active participation on one Action Team or Program Committee
- lead quarterly meetings of the Action Team chairs
- attend a reasonable number of events and programs
- represent the interests and needs of W volunteers at the W Board of Trustees meetings
- actively promote W
- serve on Board committees as needed
Member at Large (2 Positions)
The Trustee Members at Large serve for a period of two years and
are voting positions on the Board.
To be eligible, the Members at Large must:
- be a W Member in good standing
- not concurrently serve in the position of Chair of an Action Team or Program Committee
- be nominated through the annual nominating process and provide all requested additional information for committee consideration
The Members at Large are expected to:
- maintain a current W membership
- attend a reasonable number of events and programs
- provide guidance and assistance to the W Board of Trustees and Staff in areas of expertise
- actively promote W
- serve on Board committees as needed
Community Advisor (1 Position)
The Community Advisors serve for a period of two years and are
non-voting positions on the Board.
To be eligible, the Community Advisors must:
- express an understanding of and support for the mission of W
- be nominated through the annual nominating process and provide all requested additional information for committee consideration
The Community Advisors are expected to:
- attend a reasonable number of events and programs
- provide guidance and assistance to the W Board of Trustees and Staff in areas of expertise
- actively promote W
- serve on Board committees as needed
