GBU Leader Roles, Responsibilities, and Opportunities
Jennifer Stockdale- AVP Communications and Community Engagement
Mary Koczan – Communities Leader
GBU Communities — let’s lead together!
Role of a GBU Leader
Guide and support members in your community.
• Organizer – Plan and coordinate activities and events that support fraternal and community engagement.
• Promoter – Represent GBU at community events and inform people about who we are and what makes us different.
• Connector – Build relationships between members and organizations.
• Communicator – Share GBU information, updates, and resources.
From Member to Leader
• Getting Started: A member begins by participating in community support initiatives like One Hour at a Time and Give Back Groups.
• Building Momentum: After a few successful projects, they gain insight into the organizations they're supporting and start forming connections.
• Feeling Inspired: As their network grows, they may be motivated to take a more active role. What's next?....
New! GBU Neighborhoods
Goal: Provide an opportunity for new leaders to step forward or continue supporting former district leaders in a new way. Leaders will form teams to and support their communities through a chosen pillar.
Neighborhood Leader Responsibilities
• Apply and interview to become a Neighborhood Leader. Build a team of at least three members. Choose a focus (wellness, education, hometown hero support, charitable giving) Organize meaningful activities that support their communities.
• Track progress and outcomes, including expenses and participation.
Districts
History
• GBU would not be here without you! You support the lodge operating structure to maintain our tax exemption status.
• "...there is a list of some 817 GBU districts that were chartered..."Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh —100 Years
• Today, we have 22 districts. Five of which are super districts which have lodges and members across the United States.
A district's purpose is to support voluntary activities that promote social, educational, charitable, and civic goals, enabling members to engage in society initiatives and participate in its governance.
District Officer Responsibilities
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
• Conduct all meetings in accordance with the bylaws of the district and of GBU.
• Appoint any committees.
• Authorize payment orders drawn from district funds.
• Preside over the meeting in the absence of the president.
• Submit funding requests and required reports/files
• Manage district communications and serve as the primary point of contact.
• Maintain the district’s membership status reports.
• Record minutes of the district meetings and maintain same.
• Coordinate articles for submission to the official publication.
• Receive all monies, make deposits and provide receipts.
• Pay all invoices authorized by the district.
• Keep a true and correct account of all monies received and disbursed.
• Report the financial condition of the district at meetings.
• The district has the option to elect or appoint additional officer positions and auditors to suit its needs.
• Perform such other duties as the district board or GBU may direct.
Work together! Delegate what's needed, share your knowledge, and ask for help.
All officers should take advantage of the tools and resources provided!
Ways to Recognize Your Leaders
Existing programs:
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Francis B Madison Award
• New! Legacy of Leadership Award
Purpose of this award is to honor honoring those who lead by example to create lasting local impact with consistent commitment to members and community well-being through leadership, service, and support of wellness, education, charitable giving, and hometown hero initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Must have served in a GBU Communities leadership capacity for a minimum of three years.
• Must show active involvement and achievements in advancing GBU’s fraternal mission, creating community partnerships, and engaging members in a meaningful way.
What Members Say YOY
How Engagement Has Changed
Then:
• Meeting focused
• Social events frequently took precedence over fraternal and charitable contributions
• Quantity over quality mindset
Now:
• Members want events/activities they can work into their schedules
• Younger generations are interested in making a difference in their communities and supporting local
• Members want more personal, intimate event experience
Nurturing the Leaders of Tomorrow
The GBU Student Leaders Program supports selected students in their sophomore-senior college years to represent GBU in their college and campus communities.
Qualifications:
Must be a GBU insured or social member in good standing
Must be entering second year of College University or Trade School
Must currently maintain a 2.75 GPA
Expectations:
Represent GBU on their campus or in their school community
Complete an average of 10 service hours monthly
Complete one activity or event per semester
Resources:
Monthly stipend of $150
Funding or reimbursement for activities, sponsorships and events
Marketing and PR Resources such as t-shirts, branded promo items, signs, PR kit
Virtual meeting each semester to discuss projects, ideas and best practices
Applications are being accepted until May 31.
There will be 5 students selected for the pilot group
Thank you.