Executive Leadership Development Council Handbook
A Message From Dr. With Dear Council Members, Thank you for serving on the Executive Leadership Development Council (ELDC) at the University of North Texas. Comprised of a select group of corporate, government, nonprofit, and education leaders, the ELDC has been formed to actively support and work alongside members of UNT’s executive leadership in their efforts to develop students into tomorrow’s leaders. Your insight into your industry and its leadership needs is an asset to the council, and collectively, your work plays a vital role in the success of our programs and our students. Education opens doors, changes lives and improves society. At UNT, we are committed to helping our more than 36,000 students become thoughtful, engaged leaders in the community and beyond. Thank you for joining us in this commitment to our students and to the University of North Texas. We look forward to working with you as we prepare students for the challenges they will meet in our changing world. Best Regards,
Elizabeth With, Ed.D. Vice President of Student Affairs University of North Texas
Executive Leadership Development Council at the University of North Texas Under the umbrella of UNT’s Career & Leadership Development office, the Executive Leadership Development Council (ELDC) is comprised of a select group of corporate, government, nonprofit and education leaders who actively support UNT’s initiatives to develop students into tomorrow’s leaders.
Purpose Vision To identify and develop comprehensive directions and objectives for University leadership initiatives, and to support the University in preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged leaders in the community and beyond. Mission To strengthen the connection between the University and its educational, business and community partners, provide insight on evolving and expanding the University’s leadership initiatives, and assist in securing financial support for the initiatives.
Structure Composition The Executive Leadership Development Council (ELDC) is comprised of executives from a wide variety of organizations who offer a diverse picture of leadership experiences, perspectives, and skills. With the exception of the Young Professional Alumni member, each member will hold the position of at least Assistant Vice President or the equivalent within their current organization and will serve a term of three years as an ELDC member. The Young Professional Alumni member will serve for a one-year term. The ELDC will be limited to no more than 40 members, and current members will be asked to assist UNT leadership in recruiting other potential ELDC members. Members may include: Government/public sector executives Not-for-profit executives Private sector executives Any other individuals (i.e. philanthropists, UNT alumni)
Responsibilities Members The ELDC is responsible for advising UNT leadership on issues of strategic importance in leadership development. To fulfill this advisory role, the ELDC is responsible for the following areas: Guiding the vision and strategic direction Career & Leadership Development office, and the offices that report to it. Shape an extracurricular program that can be a primary source to recruiting organizations for future leaders entering the workforce Provide leadership training to a select group of students and young alumni through program development, speaker presentations, mentoring and other methods Attend NT40 Leadership Dinners/Receptions at least twice each year, following a formal meeting of the ELDC
Make annual contributions, through monetary and/or in-kind gifts, to the University in order to enhance and expand the leadership development efforts provided to our students Mentor a small group of NT40 student leaders during tenure on the ELDC Assist UNT in recruiting other executives from within individual’s organizations to speak in classrooms and at other educational programs Inform and engage business peers and industry colleagues, as champions of UNT’s unique offerings and successes in developing exceptional leaders Identify and/or create opportunities to introduce UNT’s student leaders to other business leaders and the broader business community
ROI ELDC members will:
Be provided with an opportunity to guide the future of leadership development for a large group of current UNT students and young alumni; Expand their own knowledge of what is happening at UNT through firsthand contact with student leaders, faculty from across campus, and senior administrators of the University; Be afforded an opportunity to build a mentoring relationship with the top student leaders from UNT, potentially leading to recruitment opportunities; Be granted access to a variety of students through classroom and program presentations, thus providing your organization with increased recruiting opportunities of UNT students; Receive a high level of recognition from the entire UNT campus population, thereby raising your organization’s image to the highest levels; Network with other peer executives from a variety of other organizations and industries as well as the senior leadership of UNT; Participate in executive forums to discuss and exchange key issues among ELDC members.
Meetings Frequency The ELDC meets formally three times each year with university executives, potentially including members of the President’s Cabinet, College Deans, and Department Chairs. It may choose to hold additional meetings, particularly at the beginning of the year, if it considers them necessary for it to carry out its responsibilities effectively. Scheduling At least two quarterly meetings will be scheduled at UNT to allow council members to attend an NT40 Leadership Lecture Series Dinner immediately following the meeting. For additional meetings, ELDC members will be polled by the coordinator to determine availability. The coordinator will also receive requests for council members to host meetings at their organization. The final date will be announced at least four weeks prior to the meeting. Attendance
ELDC members must provide notification of their anticipated attendance at meetings to the coordinator. Members who miss three consecutive meetings will be requested to reconsider their commitment to the ELDC.
Other Events ELDC members will be invited to participate in other events throughout the year. Attendance Notification of attendance at other events is not required. However, ELDC members should recognize the rewards and opportunities associated with attending events, and should make an effort to attend at least one such event each year.
Materials Agendas Draft agendas for regularly planned meetings will be determined at the first ELDC meeting of the year, creating a ‘work plan’ for the year (see below). At least two weeks prior to a meeting, the coordinator will distribute a draft agenda for that meeting. ELDC members will be given a maximum of one week to propose any changes. The coordinator will distribute a final agenda at least one week prior to the meeting. The agenda will be approved at the beginning of each meeting. Work Plan An annual ELDC Work Plan allocates each of the ELDC responsibilities to a specific meeting agenda. The work plan also identifies the ELDC information requirements for each item and who is accountable for providing the ELDC with that information. Minutes A university staff member records all events, recommendations, and action items in the minutes of each meeting. The minutes are then finalized by the coordinator and distributed to the ELDC within one week of the meeting. The minutes are then approved at the start of the next meeting. If any changes are required, a university staff member will provide a revised version of the minutes of the last meeting within one week of the current meeting. Other Materials At least two weeks in advance of the first meeting of the year, the ELDC will receive the following materials: A letter confirming participation on the ELDC for the year A profile of ELDC members for the year A current version of the ELDC Member Handbook UNT’s constitution, code of ethics, and any other binding documents UNT’s mission statement and strategic objectives for the year A one-page information page from the Vice President of Student Affairs documenting the Division’s proposed strategic priorities and action plan for the year
ELDC members will also receive a monthly newsletter that will include the following content: ELDC general news Upcoming events UNT leadership news New members Member organization updates
Any other materials can be requested by the ELDC at any time. A university staff member will provide these materials for distribution at least two weeks in advance of the next ELDC meeting, unless otherwise agreed.
Accountability and Responsibility Accountability As the ELDC makes recommendations rather than decisions, UNT is ultimately accountable for its own actions. Responsibility Despite not making official decisions, the ELDC is expected to act responsibly. To demonstrate this, ELDC members must consistently: Abide by the terms established in the ELDC Member Handbook Exercise due diligence, using a level of judgment and care that a person would be reasonably expected to do under particular circumstances Act in good faith, in the best interest of UNT Obtain a degree of confidence in monitoring the integrity and ability of executive team members Be diligent with regard to ELDC meetings and obtaining information Respect confidentiality (see next section)
Confidentiality and Public Communication Confidentiality As ELDC members are expected to be open and candid in the discussion of strategic issues, it is important to maintain confidentiality by not disclosing information or views expressed by individuals. Additionally, members are expected to respect and safeguard the privacy of the members of the UNT community and the confidentiality of the information entrusted to them by the University. Written Records The minutes and other written records will respect the principle of non-attribution. Deliberations will remain confidential until there is a general agreement and consensus.