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The following is an outline of the roles, responsibilities and commitment guidelines for members of the SFA Steering Committee (SC). This is a work in progress, as responsibilities will evolve over time with changing campaign and organizational exigencies.
General Roles & Responsibilities
- The SC helps SFA function effectively, democratically, and in accordance with its principles.
- The SC promotes, educates, and organizes around SFA campaigns in their respective communities, regions, and networks.
- The SC facilitates communication within and among the SFA network and allies.
- The SC plays a leadership role in making strategic decisions on SFA campaigns and programs.
- The SC plays an active role in fundraising.
- The Steering Committee works with SFA, CIW and Interfaith Action staff and with the SFA Administrative Committee to select SFA staff and interns as needed.
- A term on the SC lasts for one year; to promote continuity, SC members may maintain their position for a maximum of three consecutive terms.
- The SC is comprised of at least 50% people of color and 50% women, with an additional focus on diversity in terms of class, sexual orientation, age, geography, experience, and student/non-student status.
- All SC members are expected to participate actively throughout their term, as outlined in the commitments below. In the event of a long-term absence or departure, the SC may convene to select a replacement to fill the position of the absent member. (Absence defined as an unexplained period of one month or more in which the SC member does not respond to emails/phone calls or participate in conference calls; participating members of the SC have final say in determining "absence" and selection of replacement, if necessary.)
Commitments and Expectations
In order to be an effective Steering Committee member, each SC'er should commit to carrying out the following tasks, which generally require a time commitment of 10-20 hours per month:
- Given the geographically dispersed nature of the SC, communication — largely via email and phone — is of the utmost importance; such communication serves as the conduit that keeps the SC functioning effectively, efficiently, and openly. To that end, SC members are expected to be responsive and take initiative by:
- Reading & responding to messages in your SFA email account (given to each new SC member) at least two times per week/as necessary and/or keeping up with current projects, working groups or deadlines;
- Keeping up-to-date with rapidly-changing campaign developments by visiting and reading the SFA, CIW, and Interfaith Action sites regularly as well as other relevant sites/articles;
- Communicating with staff and other SC members through regular attendance on bi-weekly SC conference calls and through individual phone calls, emails, etc.
- Building a strong working relationship with your SC “buddy." (At the beginning of their term, each SC member is paired with another SC member (or former SC member) through a "buddy" system that is designed to help "buddies" keep each other accountable through the course of their terms by having regular contact/conversations, to keep each other in the loop, share concerns, solicit advice, etc.)
- Build leadership in their localcommunity and region by sharing skills and campaign information.
- Organize local actions and events around CIW/SFA campaigns; documenting such actions to share with the rest of the SFA network.
- Provide on-site leadership, logistical support, andadvance planning support to staff and other SC members at SFA events and actions, including but not limited to the yearly SC face-to-face meeting and yearly SFA Encuentro (each held over the course of a weekend - usually in January and September, respectively - in Immokalee).
- Seek opportunities to build allies by representing SFA at local and national conferences, events and mobilizations.
- Being involved in staff direction and accountability, together with the Administrative Committee, including, but not limited to: hiring, firing, and disciplinary action; setting staff wages, salaries, and benefits; negotiating staff labor disputes and other issues that arise related to staff oversight.
As an SC member, you will be part of a supportive team of highly committed SFA members. Meeting the above commitments enables us to shape the movement that we are all seeking to create, one accountable to the CIW's farmworker-led struggle.
SC Responsibilities drafted by 2006 Board Development Working Group & 2004-05 Interim Steering Committee. Modified and updated by the 2006 and 2009 Steering Committees.
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