NAMI NH Committees
Board Committees
Note: Members are welcome to attend any meetings of Board committees. Meeting times, dates and locations may be obtained by contacting the NAMI NH office. To join a committee or to learn more about volunteer opportunities with NAMI NH, click here.
Board of Directors
Responsible for all aspects of the organization, including oversight of finances, management and operations, and the Executive Director and staff to which it delegates direct responsibility for these matters.
Committee Structure And Function
Chart
BOARD COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS
NAMI NH Committee Structure and Function
The Committee structure addresses the needs of the organization at all levels and allows for meaningful roles for volunteer participation. The chart in the previous section lists the proposed Standing Committees and their general functions to be carried out. Below is listed Committee Descriptions. Although the Chair of each Standing Committees should be a member of the Board, it is not a requirement, although highly desired for coordination and communication purposes. The functional responsibilities of the committee can be carried out with volunteers assigned to a task group, team, and/or other time limited group, or the work can be assigned to an individual interested in doing a “box job.”
Reporting: Each committee chair will be responsible for reporting on the work performed by its committee. A schedule of presentations will be established so that each committee reports twice a year to the Executive Committee, and will be responsible to submit a written quarterly report to the President about its work progress. This report will be distributed to all Board members at the quarterly meetings. The report shall include activities, progress of work and any recommended changes to functions, as well as areas of concern.
When possible, each Standing Committee will be assigned a staff member who will work to facilitate the committee’s charge.
NAMI NH Committee Descriptions
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Board of Directors for the organization as well as the Executive Director of the organization. The Executive Committee may also include non voting members such as ex-officio officers, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee may, with Board approval, annually elect at-large members from among the Directors to serve on the Committee. The Executive Committee may also use its discretion to have additional individuals join their meetings as needed. A majority of the voting members may act, as needed, to address the routine management and affairs of the organization. The Executive Committee shall also prepare the agenda for Board of Directors’ meetings and the Annual Meeting. The Executive Committee has an obligation to carry out the mission of NAMI NH and abide by the NAMI NH Service Description as adopted by the Board of Directors.
Responsibilities include:
• Oversees operations of the Board, may act on behalf of the Board when needed.
• Appoints committee chairs.
• Evaluates the Executive Director with Board, Staff and community input.
• Guides development, review and authorization of personnel policies and procedures.
• Board orientation, development, self-evaluation, and training.
• Keeps Board manual updated.
• Nomination subcommittee identifies needed board member skills, suggests potential members and orients new members.
• Focuses on governance and board development and includes Nominations and Governance subcommittees.
Governance Committee:
o Reviews bylaws and recommend changes to the Board
o Oversee operations and may serve to assist in any personnel issue
o Maintain board handbook
o Orient new Board Members
o Lead the Board in periodic self evaluation
o Review strategic plan and initiate changes as necessary based on quality improvement processes
o Develop plans for members’ growth and volunteer recruitment/retention and affiliate growth and development and meaningful work at the local level
The Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee shall consist of seven members elected at the Annual Meeting from a slate made up of three current Directors, a representative from each of two local NAMI NH affiliates and/or support groups and 2 at-large persons with membership in good standing. The Nominating Committee shall present for election at the Annual Meeting a slate of nominees for Directors which shall be included with the notice of the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee may also propose nominees to fill officer vacancies or other vacancies of the Board of Directors between Annual Meetings as is needed.
The Finance Committee
The current Treasurer of the organization serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee shall oversee the preparation of an annual budget to be approved by the Executive Committee and a majority of the Directors. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for monitoring the annual budget, developing and implementing the long range financial plans for the organization, reporting the status of the organization’s finances to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, investing any funds of the organization, filing all tax returns for the organization, and arranging for the annual audit and reporting the results to the Board.
Responsibilities include:
• Oversees the development of the budget and fiscal policy.
• Ensures accurate tracking/monitoring/accountability for funds.
• Ensures adequate financial controls and maintains financial policy manual.
• Reviews major grants and associated terms.
• Selects Auditor and reviews work and reports of auditor.
• Audit plans and supports audit of major functions, e.g., finances, personnel, programs (needs to be independent)
The Public Policy Committee
Responsibilities include:
• Responsible for advocacy and government relations – legislative and executive.
• Monitors NH mental health and health policy issues.
• Develops public policy information and position statements on mental health and related issues.
• Identifies opportunities for NAMI NH and its membership to participate in:
o state mental health quality improvement activities;
o state planning and evaluation processes;
o public policy initiatives that affect both the private and public mental health services delivery system.
• Provides opportunities for volunteers to testify and advocate for policy changes affecting mental health treatment and finance and serves as the vehicle for NAMI NH responses to National public policy issues that directly affect mental health care.
• Drafts policy statement and testimony consistent with mission and goals of the organization.
• Responds to public events consistent with mission and value of the organization.
The Education & Support Committee
Responsibilities include:
• Develops, oversees and promotes educational and support programs addressing specific age groups across the lifespan program for affiliate relations and volunteer and leadership cultivation.
• Works with the Advancement Committee to implement program’s marketing plans including identifying potential markets, their needs, how to meet those needs with products/services/programs and how to promote/sell the programs.
• Programs for membership growth and volunteer recruitment/retention and affiliate growth, development and meaningful work at the local level.
• Training and Public education events for professionals, para-professionals and health care providers.
The Advancement Committee
Responsibilities include:
• Includes development, events, external relations, and membership.
• Oversees development and implementation of the Fundraising Plan.
• Identifies and solicits funds from external sources of support working with the Development Officer.
• Enhances the organization’s image, including communications with the press.
• Oversees the materials and content communicated through the website and printed materials.
• Assumes responsibility for communications including:
o Oversees the messaging and marketing that represents the organization to the community and to referral sources.
o Oversees all communication activities including newsletter, e-news, website and office resource center to be consistent with goals and objectives of the organization.
o Develops media responses to major public issues that require op-ed, editorial or other media response based on input from the Public Policy Committee.