Team Chair
From AFSWiki
The Team Chair is responsible for coordinating the operation and management of the AFS program, maintaining a quality AFS program, and pursuing opportunities for the growth of AFS within the Team. Team size may vary with appropriate guidelines and requirements, presides at all meetings of the Team, and acts on behalf of the team. The Team Chair also serves as the principal liaison between the Team and the Regional Service Center for procedural and policy issues.
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Responsible to:
- Chair, National Council
Key Staff Contact
- Learning and Volunteer Resources Department and all Team volunteers
Time required:
- 10 hours per week
- Length of service time: 2 years
Competencies Required:
- Well organized
- Excellent relationship and team-building skills (Negotiating, mediating, recognizing others, problem-solving)
- Keeps commitments
- Effective at task delegation
- Comfortable with “big-picture” thinking
- Passion for the AFS mission
- Effective at communicating with other volunteers and staff and keeping them informed of important issues, events, and needs of the organization and of the Team.
- Comfortable using a computer, specifically online
- Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with regional community members, school officials and others
- Demonstrate ability to work in collaborative environment with a variety of personalities and cultures
Training:
- Participation in national or regional conferences or training events
- Ongoing support from Regional Service Center and national staff
- Peer-to-peer training and/or mentoring available
Works with:
- Staff
- Regional Hosting, Sending, Volunteer Development, and Support Staff
- Volunteer
- Team Leadership
Responsibilities:
- Facilitate the annual strategic planning and budgeting process for the Team including the on-time submission of the Annual Team Agreement. Team planning should include the establishment of a team vision and the development of plans to pursue growth and development opportunities in the team.
- Work with Team Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that all Team leadership positions are filled each year.
- Maintain regular contact with and monitor progress of Team volunteers (including chapter/local unit leaders).
- Preside at all Team meetings and ensure that the Team has at least one mandatory face to face meeting per year at which time Leaders will be elected and other decisions relevant to the Team will be voted on.
- Ensure compliance by Team with all appropriate standards and regulations including AFS-USA, AFS International, Council on Standards for International Educational Travel, and U.S. Department of State federal regulations governing exchange programs and all applicable state and federal laws
- Ensure compliance with the AFS Annual Team Agreement of Cooperation
- Ensure that AFS be visible at as many functions and activities as possible
- Serve as the primary contact between AFS and Team (if applicable according to Team guidelines).
Benefits:
- Develop lifelong relationships with volunteers, staff, and participants
- Share the power of the AFS mission with many communities, individuals and families
- Enhanced knowledge and understanding of other cultures and the impact on the American perspective
- Play a leading role in developing AFS as a strong international education organization serving local and regional parts of the country
- Increased management and development skills
