The Chapter Commission Director
This office is the first major step on the chapter leadership ladder. It is a time for leading and learning. From here you can prepare for higher Junior Chamber offices in the coming years. You must build a solid leadership and organizational foundation at this time. Be thorough in your planning and conscientious in your efforts. As a member of the chapter leadership team, you will help to shape the future of the chapter, and, most importantly, your own future, too.
RESPONSIBILITIES
According to JCI's Constitution, chapters are encouraged to divide activities based on the JCI Areas of Opportunity and Commission System:
- Individual Area of Opportunity:
- Personal Development Commission
- Trainers Commission
- Officers Training Commission
- Membership Growth and Extensions Commission
- Meetings Commission
- Community Area of Opportunity:
- JCI Major Emphasis Theme Commission
- Community Development/Involvement Commission
- Economic Affairs Commission
- Children and Youth Commission
- Governmental and Civic Affairs Commission
- International Area of Opportunity:
- International Affairs and Relations Commission
- Chapter Twinning Commission
- JCI Meetings Commission
- Awards Commission
- Business Area of Opportunity:
- Finance Commission
- Records Commission
- Strategic Planning Commission
- Marketing and Public Relations Commission
- Business Affairs Commission
- International Business Council
- Chamber of Commerce Partnership Commission
Whatever system is used in your chapter, these are the responsibilities of a Commission Director:
- Clarify your appointment as stated in the chapter's Constitution, or get a detailed job description.
- Meet with your Area of Opportunity Vice President (or Executive Vice President) and discuss the objectives set down for your area of responsibility in the coming year.
- Meet with your predecessor, and discuss the responsibilities of this office. Ask for the handover files.
- After meeting all appropriate people, establish your own objectives, together with a timetable for their implementation. Keep your objectives within the chapter's and the President's program framework.
- Where possible, contact other officers holding similar positions in other chapters.
- Learn your duties and fully understand your responsibilities. At this stage of your leadership activity, it is a good idea to know the chapter Constitution, meeting procedures, reporting techniques, and have developed skills for public speaking, effective writing, and good communication.
- As a chapter leader, you will be observed by potential leaders in the chapter. Set a good example.
- You must be an effective communication link between the Board and the membership.
- Understand the chain of command and your place in it. Be sure that you understand the system of copying people when writing letters. If you must have permission to do certain things, know how you must go about seeking that permission.
- Above all, be enthusiastic, positive, well organized and loyal.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In some chapters, the leaders serve a very inadequate apprenticeship as a chapter member, before embarking upon their leadership role in the chapter. Therefore, it can happen that inexperienced leaders are trying to lead a chapter that has a good percentage of experienced members. In order to avoid friction, it is necessary for chapter leaders to know exactly why they are on the Board or in a leadership position and what they should do to help the overall leadership in the chapter. Below are some questions you may have and the answers you are probably looking for right now. You are starting your climb to the top. The climb should not be a selfish one for personal gain alone. It should involve a genuine desire to serve your fellow members and to contribute to the well-being of your community.
- Why should you make yourself available for this office? Because it is an interesting challenge, it is the natural result of leadership training, it is a springboard for higher offices, it should help you in your life, it is satisfying, the chapter needs good leaders, and leadership is what JCI is all about!
- When should you make yourself available for this office? When you have been a member for at least one year, after you have worked in many projects, after you have been a Project Chairman; after you have had some discussions with Board members about the responsibilities of a Commission Director, when you have read the chapter Constitution, when you understand the rules of meeting procedure, and when you have enough confidence to be able to lead the chapter and the fellow members.
- Who can assist you as a Commission Director? Past and present chapter officers; national and regional officers; training and management courses and materials; convention, conference and World Congress attendance. Mostly, you will determine how good you will be in your office.
- How can you best carry out your responsibilities? Keep up to date with all relevant information; attend Board meetings regularly; have discussions with your Vice President or Executive Vice President, the President or any other chapter officer; take part in courses, such as JCI's Local Leaders Training, that will help you to improve your work; be confident in your own ability; keep good records; be organized at all times; and set goals and plan well to achieve them.
- Where do you go to ensure a most successful year as a Commission Director? Attend all Board and general membership meetings; project and committee meetings; courses in management and in leadership; your National Convention and Area Conferences; and other chapter meetings.
- What do you concentrate upon in this position? You concentrate on learning about your responsibilities, on improving your organizational skills and time management, on decisions of the Board, on the needs of the members, on your objectives, and on making the chapter leadership a more effective unit.
SUMMARY
You are part of a team that may well be responsible for the affairs of many individuals. This is quite a responsibility; don't treat it lightly. A strong chapter leader will ensure a good year for the chapter. Make that your goal.
Printer friendly version |
Next: The Chapter Project Planning Process
|
Word® (1.28 MB)