NEW BOARD ADVISORY COUNCIL

Circles USA proudly launched a new Advisory Council in July 2022. This group, tasked with amplifying diverse participants’ voices to guide Circles board decisions and directions, will provide support and connectivity for our growing network of 75+ chapters.

The idea behind the Advisory Council, says executive director Kamatara Johnson, is “to create a comfortable way for members of the Circles community to interact more regularly with the Board—an open space for dialogue between the Board and Circles stakeholders while also fostering leadership opportunities at the national level.”

Board member Jennifer Pelling, who is leading this initiative, says:

“The Board aims for the Council to reflect the diversity of the Circles USA network. We want to engage people representing different roles. Several seats on the Council will be held by former Circle Leaders who have taken on leadership roles at their local chapters. We want to hear from Allies, volunteers, coaches, coordinators, executive directors and community partners, too.”

Advisory Council members will represent different kinds of Circles USA chapters as well. Appointees may represent faith-based chapters, nonprofit-based chapters, government-based chapters, new and veteran chapters, large and small chapters, rural and urban chapters. The Council includes a spectrum of ethnicities, ages, regions, sectors, genders, sexualities, religions, and political views.

Discussion topics for joint meetings of the Council and Board may include: reviewing new Circles USA data and considering the Circles model’s impact and opportunities for improvement;

• advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion;

• pursuing systemic change through the Big View; and

• linking poverty alleviation with economic/workforce development.

“The most important topic is what the Council brings forth for Board consideration,” Kamatara adds. “We value our community members’ lived experience and insights, and we’re excited to strengthen Circles with this Council. So we thank all of our amazing applicants!”