ADVISORY COUNCIL

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Importance of Advisory Councils
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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.

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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 boards work
(director) not duplicate or intrude upon it.
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What is an Advisory Council
An advisory council can help an agency meet its
mission!
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What is an Advisory Council ?
Advisory Councils are NOT boards. They are NOT
legal bodies and cannot assume responsibility for
the governance of the organization. Advisory
Councils have NO legal responsibilities.
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What is an Advisory Council?

• Advisory councils are NOT mandated by state
  statute. Sometimes mandated by government and
  foundation funders.
• Advisory councils serve as advisors.
• Advisory councils are vital links between the
  agency and the communities they serve.

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What is an Advisory Council?

• Advisory councils provide crucial input to
  agencies.

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DOS of Advisory Councils GROUPS

• DOS
• provide planning and feedback of programs and
  activities
• on going communication with older individuals
  (participants)
• on going announcements to the older individuals
  about roles, responsibilities, and activities as
  a member
• advocate on behalf of older individuals
• LISTEN to the issues of older individuals

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Dos of an Advisory Council

• Participate in fund raising activities
• Testify at Legislature for funds
• Attend Public Hearings
• Identify needs of the elderly
• On going communication with the elderly
• Attend meetings
• Letter writing Campaigns

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DOs of an Advisory Council

• Assist in surveys
• Advise on development of new programs
• Assist in identification of resources
• Recruit clients
• Actively participate at program level
• lt Meetings,
• lt Assist in review of program policies ,
• ltVolunteer for committees (Capital Outlay,
• Legislative Requests, Request for
  Proposals, etc.)

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Advisory Council should Not

• Supervising employees
• Involvement in personnel issues
• Self interest
• Financial responsibility
• Developing policies
• Make decisions regarding program/policy
• Administer program functions

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Advisory Council should Not

• Fix a crisis
• Determine pay raises
• Undermine the programs credibility

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Advisory Councils

• Advisory Councils SHOULD be formed for specific
  goals.
• Advisory Councils CANNOT be effective IF their
  members do not have clear understanding of what
  is expected of them.
• Effective Advisory Councils do NOT form
  themselves.

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Advisory Councils

• Questions to Consider
• What is the purpose of the advisory council?
• What does the organization want it to accomplish?
• What role will it play in the organization?
• What will the organization expect the individual
  members of the group to do in order to achieve
  the above purpose?

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Advisory Council

1. To whom this group report?
2. Who will have the authority to select members
3. Who will provide the staff support to orient,
   educate, and work with members of the group?
4. How will the organization recruit members of the
   group.
5. How large should the group be to carry out its
   purpose?

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Advisory Councils

• Will it need subcommittees?
• What is the nature of the relationship between
  the governing board, the staff, and the advisory
  council?
• What are the financial costs of the advisory
  council to the organization on an annual
  basis(e.g. travel, meals, etc.)

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Advisory Council

• An Advisory Council is only as good as its advice
  and the people who are willing to listen.
• Advisory Council can add significant value in
  promoting the mission of the organization IF
  created with a clear purpose.

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Advisory Council

• Advisory Councils can provide a nonprofit agency
  with good ideas, good community relations, good
  program concepts even good board members----
• In return, a nonprofit organization must be open
  to good structure, and above all it must be open
  to good advice!

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Advisory Councils