Board of Directors

About the Board

Election of JAWS officers and new board members takes place at the annual business meeting, in conjunction with our fall Conference and Mentoring Project.

Eligibility for the JAWS board: Any active member who has camped with JAWS twice. Officers and board members serve one- or two-year terms. All are elected by a vote of the membership.

Job description for the board: The primary responsibility of the board of directors is to ensure that the organization operates in a fashion true to its stated mission and principles. The board provides continuity to the organization as individual members come and go.

The board has two trusts: The group’s growth and future, and to further the group’s goals.

It is responsible for setting policies, making decisions, delegating work and assuring the decisions are carried out. The board is legally responsible for governance of the organization and adherence to federal, state and local laws, audits done annually and income tax form filing.

A director’s responsibilities include:

• Maintain a current membership in JAWS and attend the annual conference.

• Know the bylaws, mission, purpose, goals, strategic plan, programs and services for the organization.

• Raise funds and actively seek financial support and donations for JAWS and its projects; The goal is for each board member to give or get $500.

• Prepare for and attend all board meetings. The board holds regular in-person meetings twice a year, spring and fall. The date of the spring meeting is determined by the president, in consultation with other board members.  The fall meeting is held immediately preceding JAWS CAMP, at the same location. In addition, the board convenes every month via conference call. The president and committee chairs will schedule additional meetings as needed.

• Build and guide long-range plans for membership, programming, fundraising, staffing and resources.

• Ensure programs and services address membership needs.

• Recruit members and attendees for annual conferences, contribute program ideas and make sure members are involved in the group.

• Contribute and/or solicit stories for the JAWS newsletter, listserv, social media accounts and website.

• Review the minutes to ensure that critical matters, resolutions and topics of discussion have been adequately covered.

• Be willing to commit at least several hours per week of volunteer time to areas such as membership, social media, programming, fundraising and CAMP.

For more about the board and the by-laws governing JAWS, see the JAWS Bylaws.

To read our plans, see the 2012-2017 Strategic Plan.

The members of the JAWS Board of Directors set policy and represent the organization as we pursue our mission of supporting the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism. Each has committed to helping strengthen and grow our unique organization.

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