Policy Section:   Board Process		Policy Number:  BP-12
Policy:   Appointment to External Committees		Date Approved:  April 24, 2003
		Last Date Reviewed: Nov 2007
		Last Date Revised: January 2006
		Number of Pages: 2

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The Board recognizes the importance of developing formal relationships with other organizations and groups in order to further the vision and mission of the AWNA.

1.    Requests for Board representation on external committees may originate from:
a)    Another organization or an external committee
b)    A member of the AWNA
c)    The Board
d)    The Executive Director

2.    All requests for appointment to external committees must be received in writing, and must include:
a)    Purpose of the committee and/or group
b)    Requirements for participation
c)    Skills needed
d)    Time requirements for the term of appointment
e)    Financial commitment to the appointee from the external request
f)    Financial requirement of the appointee and the AWNA

3.    Upon receiving a request for an appointment to an external committee and/or group, the Board assesses whether or not such representation is appropriate, within the Board’s stated policies, current priorities, and required financial capacity of the AWNA and/or the appointee.

4.    If the assessment is positive, the Board appoints a representative on an annual basis immediately following the annual general meeting, who is most appropriate based on criteria such as board experience, related knowledge, interest, time availability and required financial capacity of the AWNA and the appointee.

5.    Before attending an external committee meeting, the representative to the external committee, the President, and the Executive Director meet to agree upon issues such as:
a)    Confidentiality
b)    Information sharing
c)    Administrative support
d)    Expenses such as mileage, accommodation, and per diem

6.    The AWNA’s representative provides reports to the Board at a frequency and in a format determined by the Board at the time of appointment.

7.    Since he or she represents the Board, the AWNA’s representative keeps informed of current Board policies and directions that might affect the deliberations of the external committee.  Any representation made on behalf of the Board adheres to the stated policies of the Board.  The representative must bring to the Board any issues requiring a new Board policy and/or position before taking a stand on the issue.