IGHS Board of Directors
Committees and Their Responsibilities  

Executive Committee

1. Expedites orders of the Board
2. When appropriate, makes recommendations to the Board
3. Is a standby committee that can meet quickly on behalf of the Board in an emergency

 
Governance  - Meets at least quarterly

1. Reviews and updates the by-laws as needed
2. Ensures that committees are functioning properly
3. Ensures that an orientation program is provided for all new Board members and committee chairpersons
4. Identifies and defines needs for board development training and arranges for training
5. Oversees and expedites the on-going strategic planning process and develops plans in support of the Strategic Plan
6. Ensures that the Board reviews and evaluates programs, services, publications, and activities to ensure quality and consistency with mission and plan
7. Assists Nominations Committee in identifying needs
8. Ensures that the Board evaluates its own performance
9. Maintains accurate records

 
Nominations – Meets at least quarterly

1. Identifies nominee for Board President and asks him/her to serve
2. Identifies nominees for other offices to supplement skills of President and asks them to serve
3. Identifies and ensures that skills, expertise and other needs of the Board are filled through new board member recruitment
4. Develops materials and approach to use in recruitment
5. Evaluates board member performance
6. Interviews potential candidates
7. Operates in accordance with the IGHS Strategic Plan
8. Maintains accurate records
9. Functions throughout the year

Finance – Meets quarterly

1. Uses sound accounting procedures and maintains accurate records
2. Accounts for all IGHS monies
3. Receives and dispenses funds
4. Prepares the budget
5. Is informed of and follows government guidelines for operating a 501 (c) (3) and submits accurate reports on a timely basis
6. Secures an audit of agency financial records as required by law
7. Works with Funds Development and Membership Committees to ensure accurate records are kept
8. Works in accordance with the IGHS Strategic Plan
   
9. Makes and monitors investments

 
Research/Publications – Meets at least quarterly

1. Yearly, determines needs and develops a plan based on these needs and in support of the IGHS Strategic Plan
2. Conducts research in support of the IGHS Mission and publishes findings
3. Identifies individuals to write and produce appropriate publications
4. Evaluates publications for possible printing
5. Identifies best source to print materials and coordinates publication
6. Coordinates and publishes a quarterly Newsletter
7. Along with the PR Committee, maintains a website
8. Publishes a quarterly newsletter
9. Communicates financial needs based on the plan to the Board of Directors, and the
10. Finance and Funds Development Committees and ensures adequate funding is available before printing materials
11. Works with Funds Development Committee to secure funding for major publications
12. Works with Public Relations Committee to promote all publications
13. Maintains accurate records

 
Membership – Meets a minimum of quarterly

1. Develops and carries out a plan for membership in support of the IGHS Strategic Plan
2. Enlists the help of Board members in recruitment
3. Follows up on all non-renewals to determine reason why and encourage renewal
4. Maintains accurate records
5. Develops a means to thank, recognize and involve members in IGHS activities
6. Considers the development of a member orientation program
7. Coordinates mailings/ activities, etc. with those of Funds Development so that membership drives are separate from and do not compete with fund raising drives
8. Works closely with the treasurer
9. Develops materials to use in member recruitment, coordinating with Funds Development and Public Relations
10. Develops a structure in which to utilize volunteers

 
Program – Meets a minimum of quarterly

1. Develops a yearly plan based on the IGHS Strategic Plan
2. Plans, oversees and coordinates all programs presented under the auspices of IGHS
3. Ensures that monthly Stammtisch programs are planned, scheduled, quality presentations
4. Oversees and coordinates all other programs including Annual Meeting, German-American Day, International Festival, St. Nicholas Festival, etc.
5. Develops and carries out a plan to increase attendance at IGHS sponsored programs
6. Plans, evaluates and coordinates excursions
7. Evaluates all programs for effectiveness, viability and/or continuation
8. Secures volunteers to participate in program presentations
9. Maintains accurate records

 
Funds Development – A minimum of every other month

1. Develops a plan for funds development and secures adequate funding for the organization in support of the IGHS Strategic Plan
2. Carries out the fund raising plan on a timely basis
3. Develops a diverse funding base, including foundation grants
4. Enlists the help of Board members in fund raising efforts
5. Ensures that all financial contributors are recognized
6. Coordinates fund raising efforts/activities with membership to ensure the two are separate an do not compete
7. Working with appropriate committees, determines amount of funds needed
8. Works closely with the Treasurer
9. Develops materials to be used in fund raising efforts and coordinates with
10. Membership and Public Relations
11. Keeps confidential information confidential
12. Maintains accurate records

 
Community Awareness/Public Relations – A minimum of quarterly

1. Develops a communications/public relations/community awareness plan in accordance with the IGHS Strategic Plan
2. Coordinates state-wide plan/activities
3. Seeks and coordinates relationships with other German focused organizations
4. Promotes IGHS to it constituency including its members and funders, as well as the community-at-large, and keeps all areas informed
5. Assists Membership, Funds Development, Programs and Publications in promoting their efforts
6. Develops news releases, brochures, flyers, etc. to promote the activities of the organization
7. Maintains a website
8. Develops and promotes a Speakers Bureau
9. Encourages donations of documents and books to IGHS and other appropriate organizations
10. Works with Membership and other appropriate Committee to develop a volunteer structure
11. Publishes a quarterly newsletter
12. Maintains accurate records                                          

 
Historic Preservation  - Meets a minimum of quarterly

1. Monitors, encourages and documents the preservation of German heritage throughout Indiana
2. Makes recommendations to the IGHS Board regarding involvement in specific events or projects that promote the preservation of German culture, sites, education and related activities
3. Acts in accordance with the IGHS Strategic Plan
4. Maintains accurate records

 
Youth Development and Education – Meets a minimum of Quarterly 

1. Encourages and promotes the study of German language and heritage
2. Works with the Athenaeum Foundation to develop and present educational program for youth
3. Develops programs to observe German-American Week
4. Promotes German as a language at the International Festival
5. Develops and presents teaching units
6. Utilizes the IGHS website to present teaching units
7. Conducts outreach to schools and German teachers
8. Develops and conducts family oriented programs; i.e. St. Nicholas Festival, St Martins Festival; Children’s Carnival and October Fest
9. Considers providing tours of the Athenaeum in German for students taking German as a language
10. Develops and carries out a plan based on the IGHS Strategic Plan
11. Evaluates programs, teaching units and activities for effectiveness and viability
12. Maintains accurate records

State Council  -  Meets at least three times per year

1. Along with the IGHS Board of Directors, determines the mission and scope of a statewide council of IGHS members
2. Expands involvement of members throughout the State
3. Broadens the influence and promotes the activities of IGHS
4. Operates within the mission, vision and strategic plan of IGHS
5. Maintains accurate records

 
Legal – Meets as needed

1. Monitors, advises and acts when necessary to assure the legality and most advantageous position of all matters of the IGHS
2. Maintains accurate records
3. Keeps the Board informed