Members of the SDLA community are eligible to serve on committees to help organize key elements of our organization’s activities.

Positions on the SDLA’s various committees will be limited. Committee participation will require current standing as a Member of the SDLA, and will depend on the needs of the committees, and members’ various skills and available time to commit.

Committees slated to be opened for participation by SDLA Members include:

• Alumni, Membership, Programming, and Development Committee
• Communications Committee (CoCo)
• Institute Committee
• Membership and Development Committee
• Mentorship, Outreach, and Selections Team Committee
• Finance and Advancement Committee
• Executive Committee

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Alumni, Membership, Programming and Development Committee (AMDP)
The Alumni and Programming Committee is tasked with maintaining strong professional and social connections within the SDLA community, and with organizing events and programs to increase and enhance our membership. A&P arranges social events, such as mixers, happy hours, potlucks, barbecues, and post-election parties. We also put together professional development seminars to train our members in lobbying, public speaking, advocacy, and how to serve on city commissions, among others. Finally we work with the Institute chairs to coordinate the annual Progressive Partners Happy Hour and the Board and Alumni Mixer. We welcome any members who would like to assist us in these efforts, and who have new ideas for expanding SDLA's reach and strengthen the bonds within the SDLA family.

Communications Committee (CoCo)
The Communications Committee of the board is responsible for the timely and clear communication of news and information about the SDLA via our website and blog, email communications, various social media channels, and press releases. The primary focus and purpose of our activities and content is on the recruitment and selection of Fellows for the annual Institute; reporting on the Institute; promoting events; acknowledging the accomplishments of Fellows, Alumni, board members, and general members including by making nominations for appropriate awards; sharing applicable articles written by members; and supporting membership drives and the annual Fellows Fundraiser.

Major activities:

• Institute Recruitment (Early September through mid-November): event listing management, e blasts, contact list management.
• Fellows Fundraiser (early April through mid-May): event listing management, e-blasts, contact list management, donation and attendance monitoring

Major responsibilities:

• Website content and maintenance, plus pulling fundraising and contact lists or reports
• Social media communications (Twitter and Facebook)
• Email communications
• Blog content and posting
• Event listing creation/management (on website and Facebook)
• PR/Marketing
• Award nominations

Institute Committee
The Institute Committee plans and runs SDLA's flagship Institute for training and empowering progressive young professionals with the skills, opportunities, and relationships to make positive change in San Diego. The Institute focuses on a core cur­ricu­lum of per­sonal lead­er­ship development, communications, fundraising, policy and polit­i­cal strat­egy, tra­di­tional and new media, and pub­lic speak­ing. The SDLA Insti­tute spans 10 full days on week­ends between Jan­u­ary and June, usu­ally on Saturdays.

Responsibilities: Institute Committee members each lead the planning and implementation of one or more Institute days (Sessions). This involves: working with the previously-developed Institute curriculum and Session goals; analyzing and incorporating feedback and lessons learned from prior years; booking guest lecturers/trainers who are topic experts; being the point-person for speakers prior to and the day-of your day; and ensuring your entire Session(s) runs successfully and on-time. You will work in collaboration and with the guidance of the Committee Members and Chairs, and the day of your Session will be attended by at least one of the Committee Chairs. You also will have support from Board members in attendance.

Time Commitment: Planning an Institute Session requires planning and outreach for booking speakers. Committee members commit to planning and reserving speakers several months prior to their Session. Sessions early in the Institute will require the most work November through March; later sessions will require the most work January through May. The Committee typically meets 3-4 times throughout the Fall and twice during the Institute months, and keeps in regular communication. The Committee typically does not meet in the July. In addition committing to pre-planning your Session, you will be expected to be present for the entire Session you have planned. You are not expected to attend other Institute Sessions, though you are invited to do so.

Knowledge/Background Needed: Familiarity with the curriculum of the Institute is strongly preferred. Background in the general topics of the Session you will plan is required. Familiarity with San Diego is required.

Mentorship, Outreach, and Selections Team Committee

(Updated Committee description pending). If interested in joining or have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

Finance and Advancement Committee

(Updated Committee description pending). If interested in joining or have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is tasked with leading and supporting the Board of Directors’ work that enacts the mission of the San Diego Leadership Alliance. The Executive Committee focuses on strategic initiatives and planning to foster the sustainability and success of SDLA. The Executive Committee is composed of two Co-Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Board Compliance and Development Officer, unless amended through majority vote by the Board. Each position in the committee is nominated or self-nominated, then voted on at Board of Directors’ meetings that reach quorum.

Responsibilities: 

1. The Co-Presidents (Chairs) are tasked with providing and executing short-term and long-term goals that align with the mission of SDLA. Responsibilities include: 
   1. Leading the governance of SDLA, including overseeing fiduciary, strategic, and generative responsibilities of the Board of Directors
   2. Developing, implementing, and evaluating Board approved plans for SDLA, such as strategic plans, and their corresponding activities
   3. Ensuring ethical and legal decision-making of the organization
   4. Representing, speaking, and signing on behalf of SDLA
   5. Facilitating bi-monthly Board meetings, communicating agendas in advance Facilitating Executive Committee Meetings 
2. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining the institutional memory of SDLA for current and future Board members. Specific tasks include:
   1. Minute taking at Board meetings
   2. Tracking Board member attendance at Board meetings
   3. Archiving and maintaining internal documentation for the entire Board and all committees 
   4. Supporting the Board Compliance and Development Officer as needed
3. The Treasurer advises the Board on financial policy and strategy to maintain the SDLA in good financial health. Duties include:
   1. Creating and executing the vision and goals of the finance and advancement committee
   2. Tracking the organization’s fiscal responsibilities 
   3. Creating the annual budget 
   4. Serving as the financial liaison on behalf of the board
   5. Processing invoices, reimbursements, and expense reports
   6. Generating financial reports
   7. Providing updates on the organization's financial position during Board meetings
   8. Filing necessary legal, tax, and insurance documentation
   9. Selecting bank accounts and reconciling statements 
   10. Participating in Finance and Advancement Committee meetings 
4. The Board Compliance and Development Officer is tasked with the training of Board members, in adherence to the SDLA’s bylaws, and the maintenance of such bylaws. Responsibilities include: 
   1. Coordinating Board retreats, trainings, and social activities
   2. Conducting new Board member orientations and providing access to the necessary resources to serve on the Board
   3. Initiating the annual review of the SDLA Bylaws
   4. Gathering and maintaining Board and Committee roster information, emergency contact forms, and other Board signed agreements such as the Charter/Board Agreement
   5. Supporting the Treasurer in filing necessary legal, tax, and insurance documentation
   6. Serving as additional support for Officers and Committee Co-Chairs when needed

Time Commitment: All Executive Committee positions require 1.5 hours at the bi-monthly Board meeting, and 1-2 hours at the bi-monthly Executive Committee meeting, unless the Committee agrees to meet on separate occasions. Each position then involves 10–20 hours a month, determined by the tasks at hand, and may decide to meet with other committee members as needed.