The Chairperson greatly influences the character and effectiveness of your committee.  Elected by other members, this person will have a unique partnership with the Area Manager built by spending regular time together. As the leader of the committee, the Chair keeps the focus on Christ, calls on members’ gifts and abilities, prepares and leads meetings and mobilises the different task committees.  They also ensure that the committee members share in the ownership of the ministry with the local staff, volunteer leaders, local donors and regional director.

Responsibilities of the Chair:

  • Walk faithfully with Christ to provide spiritual leadership for the committee
  • Be confident in their call to the role and be a leader and motivator
  • In agreement with Young Life Australia’s faith and conduct policies
  • Plan and run the monthly meeting
  • Lead in developing a vision for YL in the community
  • Act as a liaison and advocate between staff and committee
  • Build trust in the ministry
  • Provide leadership in the recruitment, selection, orientation, retention and retirement of committee members
  • Work with committee members to best utilise their talents
  • Maintain a close relationship with staff
  • Stand alongside the staff and bring the rest of the committee along.
  • Maintain close relationships with the staff so staff can communicate needs and problems, as well as successes.

Basic Strategies to Develop

The committee chair working together with the area director should:

  • Develop a good relationship with the area director.
  • Plan effective meetings.
  • Lead effective meetings.
  • Create ownership for the ministry with committee members.
  • Delegate work to committee members.
  • Hold committee members accountable.

At a minimum, the Committee Chair and Area Director should develop the following processes:

  • Recruiting and selecting a committee chair(s).
  • Recruiting, selecting, retaining and retiring committee members.
  • Taking care of staff and if possible volunteer leaders.
  • Implementing basic Taking Donors Seriously (TDS)

Hoyt Jackson has some great tips below for new Committee Chairs.  Have a look at what he has to say.

Qualifications

  • Has the gift of leadership.
  • Can motivate others.
  • Is organized.
  • Is able to plan and lead meetings.
  • Can delegate and hold people accountable.

Time Requirement: 16 hours per month

NOTE: Different areas will have different time requirements, and this should be used as a guide only.  Different times of year as well will have different time pressures.