National Hosting Advisory Group
From AFSWiki
Contents |
Overall Objective
The Hosting Advisory Group [HAG] was established as a result of volunteer feedback provided at the Chicago meetings and the National Council’s decision to have an advisory group for each of the main functions. The committee’s overall objective is to improve the national hosting processes by encouraging volunteer input before any decisions are made and to be more transparent to volunteers and staff organization-wide, in keeping with the spirit of the volunteer-staff partnership.
Specific Objectives
This advisory group convenes monthly (or as necessary) to discuss commitments, distribution, student applications, host family applications, U.S. State Department and CSIET regulations, placement timelines and incentives, and overall hosting procedures.
Composition
The advisory group is composed of a volunteer chairman, one volunteer from each gateway region, a National Council Representative, at least one Regional Hosting Manager, the Chief Program Officer of Hosting, and the Director of Inbound Programs. The current advisory group members are:
- Gerry Bair- Hosting Advisory Group Chair – Carolinas Team: Team Chair
- Frank Johnson – National Council Representative - Carolinas Team: Hosting Coordinator
- Karen Nelson - Milwaukee Team: Team Chair and Hosting Coordinator
- Dawn Cheney – Finger Lakes Team: Team Chair and Hosting Coordinator
- Robbin Lang – Northern IL: Team Hosting Coordinator
- Carol McCaulley – Silver and Gold Team: Team Chair and Hosting Coordinator
- Linda Sohlberg – Greater Puget Sound Team: Team Hosting and Sponsored Programs Cluster Volunteer
- Katie Brettingen – North Central Hosting Manager, Chicago Gateway Region
- Katharina Kozik – Western States Hosting Manager, Seattle and Los Angeles Gateway Regions
- Ann Steffen – Director of Inbound Programs
- Richard Dollery– Eastern States Hosting Manager, New York Gateway Region
- Kristen Bates– Chief Program Officer, Hosting
Method of Election/Appointment
The volunteer members of the HAG apply via the specified application process, and are appointed by the Chief Program Officer - Inbound Programs, and the Director of Inbound Programs with recommendations from the Regional Hosting Managers.
The volunteer membership of the HAG is comprised of a National Council Representative, Committee Chair, and at least five Regional Volunteer Representatives, one from each gateway region (Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and New York). The staff membership of the HAG is comprised of the Chief Program Officer, Inbound Programs, Director of Inbound Programs, and at least one Regional Hosting Manager. The chairperson will be a volunteer elected by the group.
Interested volunteers should submit an application, including references, after which Regional Hosting Managers provide recommendations to the Chief Program Officer, Inbound Programs and Director of Inbound Programs, followed by an informational interview.
Term
Each term is for two years. The Regional Volunteer Representative terms end alternately when possible in order to prevent two volunteers of the same larger territory/region from departing at the same time.
Methodology
The HAG will meet by phone conference approximately once a month or as needed leading up to and throughout the hosting placement season. Additional meetings may be called, as necessary. There will also be regular email correspondence. The progress and outcomes of the HAG will be regularly communicated to Hosting Volunteers and volunteers in leadership positions.
Accountability
The HAG is accountable to the National Council, Chief Program Officer - Inbound Programs, and Director of Inbound Programs.
