Member Advisory Council

Idea

What if each year, each chapter elected a number of representatives to go to an annual conference based on their membership -- for instance 1 rep for 100 members?

Well before the conference the staff and board ask the newly elected reps to find out what "their" members are thinking and feeling about a certain number of proposed changes that may or may not get implemented in the year ahead.

The elected members find ways to get the pulse of their chapter then come together for a 2 day "convention" during which topics are discussed, debated and fine tuned then voted on. 

The board and staff are invited to attend but only as a way to listen to what is being said. They cannot speak on the topics unless they are invited to do so by the directory committee of the Member Advisory Council.

At the end of the 2 days the outcomes are put to the board. Though the board may have reasons not to adopt the proposals - fiscal or legal - it is their duty to respect the outcome of the discussion as reflecting the desires of the members.

One international non-profit that was experiencing a strong feeling of distance between the leadership and its members created something similar as a middle level consultation group - half way between the two. Staff and board were delighted to get a clearer vision of what really goes on in the lives of members and members were reassured that the policies being set were closely honed to meet their needs.

Discussion Ideas

• What do you think of this idea?
• Would you be willing to attend such a meeting?
• How would it enhance the representation of members' ideas? How might it hinder them?
• What power should this council have? Advisory or Decision making? (ie make proposals to the board or make policies in the place of the board?)
• Would you feel better equipped if you received a short training beforehand on things likes Robert's Rules and how to create a motion to make sure it gets passed?