Volunteers make up the heart of JAWS – here is the lineup of committees, please reach out if you’d like to join a committee.
BOARD MEMBERS
Standing committees:
Ad hoc committees:
The president will oversee and coordinate all committees. Staff members will support them as well.
1. Executive Committee – Consists of current JAWS officers, who consult with and advise the president between meetings.
2. Programs and Services Committee – Plans the annual fall conference, works to develop regional training and oversees the JAWS mentoring program and the awarding of scholarships to attend the conference. The committee works within the budget set by the treasurer in conjunction with the development team to develop conference sessions and training programs. It coordinates with staff on travel and other arrangements for speakers as well as specific conference needs.
3. Membership Committee – Takes the lead in sustaining and boosting JAWS membership, with emphasis on diversity in ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, media and regions of the country. Sends out membership renewal letters each January, signed jointly by the president and the membership chair, and works with regional captains on outreach efforts. The committee reaches out to prospective members through word-of-mouth, listservs, the website, direct-appeal letters, surveys etc.
4. Finance Committee – Works with the treasurer to review expenditures and determine the annual budget, including funds available for the fall conference and scholarships. Meets three times a year, in person or by phone; at least one meeting must be held at CAMP. Membership includes the treasurer, as chair, a past president and other JAWS members who are not currently on the board.
5. Communications Committee – Stays on top of external and internal communications to assure that members are fully informed and to heighten the profile of JAWS across platforms. Oversees publication of the JAWS newsletter and includes the web mistress, who is responsible for the design of the JAWS website, the posting of articles and announcements and the updating each year of the organization’s continuing “HerStory.” Also includes branding and style. Works with website manager to keep JAWS’ digital presence accurate, visually exciting, relevant. With the JAWS president and board, it also coordinates public statements on behalf of the organization.
6. Nominations Committee – Oversees recruitment and nomination of candidates for service on the JAWS board, with an emphasis on diversity of ages, races and ethnicities, media and regions. Its members are announced by July 31, in advance of the annual conference. The committee collects nominations and screens for eligibility and interest in serving. It presents a slate of officers and directors for approval at the general membership meeting in the fall. Nominations may also be made from the floor.
7. Fundraising and Development Committee – Works with the board to raise funds and develop sources of revenue to sustain and expand JAWS programs and services.
The following committees were temporary for part of 2014 and 2015. They are now defunct.
Future Staffing Committee June – December 2014:
With input from the membership, this committee will carefully assess what the organization really needs now that we are a larger, more active group with 700+ members and a strategic plan that calls for more year-round activities in addition to CAMP. The committee will research the staffing levels and structures of similar organizations as well as look at the evolution of JAWS in recent years. The committee will make recommendations to the board about ideal staff roles in as timely a way as possible. (Chair: Dawn Garcia with assist from Karen Cheung-Larivee, Gwyneth Doland, Linda Kramer Jenning, Megan Kamerick, Judy Miller, Hilary Powell and Melinda Voss)
NEW STAFFING Committee December 2014-June 2015:
Implements staff decisions made by the board, including job posting, search, and setting salary ranges. Makes hiring recommendations to the president for action by the Executive Committee. (Chair: Sandra Fish with Sheila Solomon, Dawn Garcia and Megan Kamerick)
NEW STAFFING HIRING SUBCOMMITTEE February to April 2015:
Screens applications, interviews candidates and makes recommendations to the President and President-elect to take to the Executive Committee. (Sheila Solomon, Pam Moreland, Kira Zalan, Merrill Perlman, Megan Kamerick)
