The Board of Directors for Circles USA is inviting applications for a new Board Advisory Council. The purpose of this Council is to create a space for dialogue between the Board and Circles stakeholders, including former Circle Leaders. The application deadline is Friday, January 14.
Who: The Board aims for the Council to reflect the diversity of the Circles network in the U.S. and Canada.
For example, the Board hopes to engage those representing different roles: former Circle Leader, Ally, Volunteer, Coach, Coordinator, Executive Director, Community Partner, etc.
Several seats on the Council will be held for former Circle Leaders who have taken on leadership roles at their local chapters.
The Board also hopes to engage different kinds of chapters: faith-based chapters, nonprofit-based chapters, government-based chapters, new chapters, veteran chapters, rural chapters, urban chapters, etc.
The Board values diversity: ethnicity, age, region, sector, gender, sexuality, religion, and political views.
What: Here are a sample of discussion topics for joint meetings between the Council and Board:
Reviewing our latest data and considering the Circles model’s impact and opportunities for improvement
Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion
Pursuing systemic change through the Big View
Linking poverty alleviation with economic/workforce development
Where/When: For now, Council meetings are planned to be entirely virtual using Zoom. The Council will have one 90-minute meeting per quarter (every three months). Selected Council members will be asked to commit to an 18-month term.
Why: The Board wishes to solicit input from Circles stakeholders, including former Circle Leaders, to inform decisions about the future of Circles USA. The Board wishes to create a comfortable way for members of the Circles network to interact with the Board more regularly. This Council offers leadership opportunities at the national level.
How: Please complete this short application/online survey by Friday, January 14.
Please note: This is a volunteer Council. To appreciate Council members for participating, each person will receive one registration to the next CUSA Conference. A modest thank-you gift will be provided at the end as well. Circles USA cannot provide a stipend/honorarium to avoid any perception that the Board is paying the Council to agree with them.
PS: To learn about Circles USA’s Board, here’s a video recording from their session at our April 2021 Conference.