04/01/2026

Support and Development: Gains from Member Participation

By NCDA Committee, Councils and Editorial Boards

NCDA operates through the generous donation of time and talent by many members who serve on committees, councils, academies and editorial boards. A plethora of knowledge, skills and interests can be engaged when supporting NCDA. The work varies widely, carrying out activities related to membership services, professional action, and resource maintenance.

All participants in committee work are members in good standing and have options for stepping into leadership roles. The chairs/co-chairs gather three times a year to share activities, goals and challenges, while meeting with the NCDA President Elect and Executive Director. Committee leaders also submit annual reports in September and mid-year reports in March.

The introduction to NCDA committees starts with reviewing the NCDA website, under About NCDA or visiting a committee meeting at the conference. Joining a committee is as easy as contacting the chair; councils, academies, and editorial board membership require a response to a call and Board approval. The NCDA Board and Management headquarters are grateful for all member participation in the organization!

Learn More! Look What is Happening at NCDA

Based on recent mid-year or annual reports, the following provides highlights from each NCDA committee, council, academy and editorial board in the current fiscal year.

Committee Leadership

All members are invited to participate in NCDA committees, councils, academies and editorial boards. Visit the Committee webpage, under About NCDA and contact the chair or Board liaison. The NCDA Policy and Procedures Manual states,

The president shall appoint a board member to serve as a board liaison member to each standing committee, ad hoc committee, task force or commission. It is expected that board members will communicate with their board committees at least monthly to ensure proper communication and attention. (NCDA, 2025, p. 8)

Duties of Committee Chairs

1. Constitute a committee and plan for leadership succession using the following procedure. Determine Primary Committee Co-Chair – more tenured leader who ultimately leads the work of the committee
2. Select a Secondary Committee Co-Chair – this person will eventually take over upon the departure of the Primary Committee Co-Chair
3. Select a Co-Chair Elect – this person will follow the Secondary Committee Co-Chair when that person moves up to the primary position.
4. Develop a plan of work and budget. Send to the Treasurer via the Board liaison by the deadline (normally in August).
5. Receive communication from Board liaison as to approval of budget and plan of work by October (after the Board meeting).
6. Carry out work plans. Communicate with the Board liaison monthly as to progress and problems. Report on issues to the liaison that need to be discussed at Board meetings.
7. Write two reports annually - a mid-year report due mid-March and a year-end Annual Report by early September.
8. Send reimbursement vouchers to the Treasurer, copying the Board liaison for approval. Copy the Executive Director so payment can be made after approved.
9. Chair committee meeting at convention to discuss plan of work for next year and recruit new members.
10. Coordinate the submission of an article with the editor of the web magazine or quarterly members magazine to communicate relevant activities of your group.
11. Consider hosting a webinar or other NCDA professional development activity – make request through the Board Liaison.
12. Be sure to have consistent co-chairs identified so committee secession stays intact to continue the work.
13. Transfer files and relevant historical records to the person who takes over your responsibilities.

Duties of Board Liaisons

1. Communicate monthly with each committee or ad hoc group chair for which you are the liaison.
2. Receive and review plans of work and budgets and make recommendations to the president-elect.
3. Assist chairs with problems and ideas.
4. Communicate relevant Board decisions as soon as possible after meetings.
5. Review and approve reimbursement vouchers and forward to treasurer.
6. Communicate significant problems to the president between Board meetings.
7. Attend all Board of Director meetings. Report and advocate for your committee and ad hoc groups at Board meetings.
8. Make recommendations to the president-elect for continuation of committee and ad hoc group chairs or nominate replacements.

(NCDA, 2025, p. 33)

Reference

NCDA. (2025). Policy and procedures manual 2025-26. https://ncda.org/aws/NCDA/asset_manager/get_file/944540?ver=1

This article is based on recent mid-year or annual reports submitted by NCDA committee, councils and editorial boards members. Visit www.NCDA.org for more details.