Questions & Answers
- How many people serve on the Board of Directors?
- Seventeen.
- Who appoints members of the Board?
- The current Board of Directors appoints new members to the Board.
- How long are the terms of each appointment?
- The initial term of office will be one (1) year. Based on the activity level and commitment to the organization, members may be eligible for election of a second term of three (3) years and a third term of two (2) years, for a total of six (6) years of service.
- What are the eligibility requirements of Board positions?
- In general, members of Disability Rights NC’s Board of Directors reflect the diverse constituency it serves. We are mandated by federal acts to serve individuals with developmental, mental, physical, learning and sensory disabilities. Persons with disabilities, family members, attorneys, professionals, and providers are all represented on the Board. Disability Rights NC is also committed to appointing members who represent North Carolina’s diverse ethnic and cultural communities and makes efforts to insure the Board reflects different geographic areas of the state.
- What are Board members' responsibilities?
- The Board provides overall direction of Disability Rights NC. Generally, the Board does its work through standing committees. Each Board member serves on at least one committee. Board members are also responsible for fundraising, participation in some outreach events and recruiting new members.
- What is a Public Member?
- Disability Rights NC�s Board added Public Members to the Audit/Finance, Development and Program Committees. Public Members help insure that these Committees receive input from individuals which reflect North Carolina's diverse ethnic, cultural and disability communities. Public members serve as full members of their appointed Committees. They receive all Committee materials and vote on matters that come before the Committee. They are reimbursed for their expenses in the same way that all Board members are reimbursed. Public members currently serve one year terms and are eligible for reappointment.
- What is the PAIMI Advisory Council?
- The PAIMI Advisory Council advises the Board on policies and priorities regarding: services to persons with psychiatric disabilities; reviews PAIMI goals and priorities and assists in the annual PAIMI Program Performance Review process.
- How many Board meetings are held each year, and where are they held?
- There are four meetings held a year. They are typically held in different areas of the state to be more accessible to our constituents. Generally, the annual meeting is held in Raleigh and the other three held in different board regions of the state as defined by our bylaws.
- How long are the meetings and what other time obligations are there?
- The meeting schedule for the upcoming year is determined by the sitting Board at the Annual meeting in December. Recently regular Board meetings have been held on a week day. Committees of the Board usually meet by conference call at least three weeks before a scheduled meeting of the Board. Board members usually serve on at least one but usually two Committees of the Board. Committees include: Audit/Finance, Development, Governance, and Program/Public Policy. In addition, the Board officers serve on the Executive Committee.
- What about expenses for Board members?
- All travel, room, and board expenses connected with the Board meeting are paid for by Disability Rights NC. Disability Rights NC also provides reasonable disability related accommodations for Board members. Members are not paid an honorarium for their services.
- Are there any prohibitions regarding appointments?
- No person shall be appointed or continue to serve as a Director who is: (1) a contractor of the Agency; (2) is an employee of the Agency; (3) as a result of their employment or other activities impedes the Agency’s ability to be independent of any agency that provides treatment, services or habilitation to individuals with disabilities as required by federal law.
- How do I apply for a position on the Board?
- You may fill out an application and submit it at any time. Notices of vacancies are posted on our website at www.disabilityrightsnc.og and sent to numerous agencies on a regular basis. Applications are normally reviewed in August for vacancies that will occur in January of each year. Vacancies occasionally occur at other times during the year and all active applications are considered. In general, applications (or updates) are due three to four months prior to the position becoming vacant.
- Where can I get more information?
- Please feel free to contact Janice Willmott at 919.856.2195.