Diversity Congress Chair Job Description
North American Students of Cooperation
The chair of the Diversity Congress chair is automatically appointed to the NASCO Board for a one-year term beginning February 2010 and ending February 2011. The Diversity Congress chair's primary responsibility is to the Diversity Congress. The chair will be the link between the NASCO board and the identity caucus chairs.
As such, the chair can:
- bring to NASCO issues from the Diversity Congress. Identify the congress's priorities and bring those to the board
- maintain and facilitate the Diversity Congress email list.
- keep in email contact with the identity caucuses (through the IC chairs): initiate and/or facilitate inter- caucus discussions and consolidate updates from the caucuses.
- be a part of the Inclusion Committee on the NASCO Board.
- work with the ICCOPO chair to develop trainings on priority issues.
The chair has a responsibility to be proactive in the membership, and help NASCO prioritize based on what the membership wants.
Additionally, the chair will prepare and facilitate next year's Diversity Congress, if able to attend Institute, and take notes to ensure that the newly elected chair will have the information necessary to make a good start. NASCO thus has a responsibility to provide facilitation and leadership development to the chair.
Requirements of NASCO Directors:
NASCO directors are required to attend all Board meetings. There are two face-to-face board meetings per year, once in the spring/summer (usually in June) and once in the winter (January/February). There is one required teleconference meeting in September. Additionally, directors must attend and work at NASCO's Cooperative Education and Training Institute in Ann Arbor (early November). We also usually have an unofficial in-person meeting the day after the Institute. Directors should expect to put in time in between meetings as well. Activities Board Members perform include:
- Reporting and keeping in touch with your co-op and other NASCO members in your region
- Fundraising
- Recruitment of new members
- Internship recruitment
- Teaching courses at the Institute
- Collecting/writing articles for Co-op Voices
- Regular Board duties such as budget analysis, priority setting, committee work, leadership, etc.
NASCO Board Travel Policy:
NASCO shall reimburse Directors for all travel expenses exceeding $200 in a given year, $150 for individuals who do not have institutional support in funding their deductible. If the $150 deductible will cause financial hardship, the deductible can be waived. Board Members are directed to travel using low-cost excursion fares. Staff is directed to notify Board Members five weeks in advance of a meeting to make travel arrangements and to schedule meetings to minimize travel expenses. A summary of travel expenses shall be distributed at each meeting.