Arrowhead United Way

Womens Leadership Council (WLC)

Approved Guidelines

I.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Arrowhead United Way Women's Leadership Council (WLC) is to
improve the lives of young women through education, financial stability, and a healthy
lifestyle.

II.

Purpose
The Womens Leadership Council is about women being involved in their community.
WLC offers women the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer on issues affecting
young women, giving women a voice to support issues they care about most. The
purpose of the WLC is to:
Learn more about the critical issues facing women in our community every day
Participate in important funding decisions for programs with measurable outcomes
that impact women
Inspire others to community action, especially young leaders through mentoring
and volunteering
Connect with local women business and community leaders
Receive recognition as a change leader in our community
Raise funds to support the mission of the WLC

III.

Roles
Articulate and support a vision for the women in our community
Bring problem solving and priority setting skills to the table
Utilize council members influence in the community to support and promote WLC
initiatives
Mobilize the community and generate ideas to build collaborative partnerships to
strengthen WLC
Actively recruit participation from agencies, businesses and community
organizations that can contribute to the WLCs initiatives
Arrowhead United Way Vice President of Resource Development Director serves
as a consultative resource for the Womens Leadership Council, in collaboration
with the WLC Chair and Steering Committee
WLC Members recommend women for membership and vote them into
membership
WLC Members will be comprised of women who represent a cross-section of the
community, offering diversity of age, culture, religion, and ethnicity
WLC Members will establish Program and Administrative staff positions as funding
allow
The role of Secretary will be performed by Administrative staff; in the absence of
Administrative staff, secretarial duties will be performed by WLC members
7/1/2013 9:24 AM
1

IV.

Womens Leadership Council Chairman

The WLC Chair will preside over the Steering Committee and Membership
meetings of the WLC
The WLC Chair will serve a one-year term
Terms of office for the WLC Chair are limited to two consecutive one-year terms

V.

WLC Steering Committee and Responsibilities

1. Steering Committee Elections
The WLC follows a fiscal year from July 1 thru June 30
Election of Steering Committee members is conducted as follows:
o Steering Committee appoints a three-person Nominating Committee from
among the Steering Committee members no later than May
o The Nominating Committee interviews potential nominees from among the
WLC membership and recommends candidates for Steering Committee
vacancies for the vote of the Steering Committee no later than May
o The Steering Committee approves the nominees
o Elections are held by the WLC members at the June Meeting; terms of office
begin on July 1
o Steering Committee officers are appointed by the Steering Committee by
July 1
2. Composition of the WLC Steering Committee
The WLC Steering Committee consists of seven to nine members: the WLC
Chair, Vice-Chair, Finance Chair, and 4 additional members from the WLC
membership at large. A representative from each Focus Area (Financial
Stability, Education, and Healthy Lifestyles) working committee may also be
asked to attend Steering Committee Meetings as non-voting members; Steering
Committee members at-large include the AUW f Resource Development
Director Manager and the AUW President
The WLC Steering Committee will not exceed 9 members
Subcommittees will be formed, such as:
Marketing Committee
Recruitment Committee
Finance Committee
3. Steering Committee Member Duties and Responsibilities
Recommend policies, guidelines, and operating procedures to the WLC for
adoption
Coordinate and monitor all subcommittee and Focus Area Committee activities
Review and approve all policy recommendations made by subcommittees and
Focus Area Committees
Actively support any additional projects, initiatives, or activities chosen by the
WLC

7/1/2013 9:24 AM
2

 Attend regular meetings; Steering Committee members miss no more than 3

consecutive meetings without prior notification
Become knowledgeable about Arrowhead United Way and issues affecting
women in our community
Committee members will serve a two-year term, with the opportunity to serve
an additional term.
At least one member from the Steering Committee should serve on each subcommittee
Steering Committee approves membership qualifications and participation
levels
Items voted on by the WLC Steering Committee are approved by a majority
vote conducted in-person or via conference call; email voting is not permissible
Steering Committee hears and votes on program recommendations from subcommittees
Approves the WLC program operating budget which includes funding for
subcommittee and Focus Area Committee projects at the May Steering
Committee Meeting
Reviews and approves all subcommittee and Focus Area Committee program
budgets prior to program implementation and/or activities
Presents the approved annual WLC Program Operating Budget at the Annual
Meeting
VI.

Subcommittee and Focus Area Committee Members Duties and Responsibilities

Subcommittees are established as needed by the WLC Steering Committee
Subcommittee and Focus Area Committee members research, recommend, and
submit for approval to the Steering Committee:
o Budget needed to support subcommittee and Focus Area Committee
assignments and responsibilities prior to the May Steering Committee meeting
each year
o Outcomes used to measure work performed by subcommittees and Focus Area
Committees
o Program plans
Committee Chairs will serve a two-year term, with the opportunity to serve one
additional one-year term

VII.

Annual Goal
The Womens Leadership Council will set its fundraising goal prior to the start of
AUWs annual campaign
Annual campaign goals will be established by the WLC Steering Committee and
will be driven by the WLC Strategic Plan

VIII.

WLC Membership Eligibility

Eligibility is based on an annual gift donation to WLC or AUW of $1,000 $500 or

7/1/2013 9:25 AM
3

more.

Eligibility is based on an annual donation to WLC as determined by the Steering

Committee and reviewed annually..

7/1/2013 9:25 AM
3

 In the event of receipt of a foundation or corporate grant in the amount of $1000.00

or above, one representative of the granting foundation or corporation will be
eligible for membership for a period of 12 twelve months
Gifts of $10,000 or more will also be recognized by the Alexis de Tocqueville
Society
IX.

Fund Collection
100% of all funds collected in association with the Womens Leadership Council will be
counted toward the WLC annual goal

X.

Recognition
Womens Leadership Council members will be recognized in a variety of ways:
a. Thank you letter from Arrowhead United Way, signed by the Womens
Leadership Council Chair
b. Presentation of Leadership Gift (Lithograph)
c. Introduction at WLC events and identified AUW events
d. Other avenues as recommended by the WLC and approved by the Arrowhead
United Way President

XI.

Confidentiality of Membership Information and Contact Lists

Membership lists and information are not to be shared or used except within the
WLC and for legitimate WLC purposes. At no time is WLC member information to
be shared by members for solicitation purposes

XII.

WLC Program Coordinator Role

To coordinate and implement all programs as they relate to the Womens
Leadership Council programs, and to assist WLC members in achieving the
established goals, objectives, and client outcomes
Responsible for planning and implementation of Healthy Lifestyles, Education, and
Financial Stability Programs and meetings

XIII.

Executive Administrator Resource Development Assisstant Role

Develop WLC program outcomes and evaluations for each program and workshop
implemented by the various Focus Area Committees
Submit grants in support of WLC programs and staff; manage and report
Provide administrative support and assistance in the planning and implementation
of all Womens Leadership Council meetings and events
Provide administrative support for all WLC Steering Committee, Quarterly and
Networking meetings/events
Serve as Secretary of the WLC Steering Committee

7/1/2013 9:26 AM
4

XVI. WLC Activity/Event/ Program Implementation Policies and Procedures

A.

B.

C.

Projected participation rates must be clearly defined by the Focus Area Committee
Chair and communicated to the AUW Resource Development Manager 30 days prior
to invitation date
Every effort to meet the projected participation rate, including follow-up emails and
phone calls to determine participant status is to be made by the members of the Focus
Area Committee
In the event that participation rate is anticipated to fall 50% below projection, the Chair
will contact the Steering Committee Chair and the Resource Development Manager, to
make a joint go/no go decision

XVII. WLC Pledge Payment Policies and Procedures

A. Annual dues statements will be sent to all WLC members in good standing at least 30
days before the beginning of the fiscal year.
B.

B.

Missed Pledge Payments

Statements will be sent as requested by the members. A written Reminder Notice
will be sent to members who have missed their monthly, quarterly, or annual
payment, immediately upon payment due date
Members who have not paid will be contacted 45 days after billing schedule date
If member is not renewing her membership annual pledge, she will be asked if she
would like to receive periodic WLC updates
If member wants to receive updates, her name will be added to the WLC prospects
list
Non-Payment
For guests who attend 2 to 3 WLC meetings and do not commit to joining the
WLC, the WLC member who originally invited them is responsible for following-up
with their guest to ask about their intentions regarding joining WLC

XVIII. WLC Member Resignation Policies and Procedures

A.

Focus Area Committee Resignation

Members who resign from Committee membership are asked to submit a brief
letter to the Resource Development Manager Director
The Resource Development Manager will then notify the WLC Chair

B.

Steering Committee Resignation

Steering Committee members who resign are asked to submit a brief letter to the
Resource Development Manager
The Resource Development Manager will then notify the WLC Chair
A Steering Committee meeting will be scheduled to determine a replacement

C.

WLC member Resignation

Members are asked to submit a brief letter to the Resource Development Manager
The Resource Development Manager will then notify the WLC Chair
The resigning member will be asked if they would like to continue to receive
7/1/2013 9:26 AM
5

periodic WLC updates

If member wants to receive updates, their name will be added to the WLC
prospects list

7/1/2013 9:26 AM
5