PHILADELPHIA ADULT LITERACY ALLIANCE
Board Member Terms and Responsibilities
Proposed June 2015
OVERVIEW
The Philadelphia Alliance Advisory Board is the executive committee that is responsible
for setting the strategic direction for the Alliance. The Board works in coordination
with the staff of the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy in the planning, design, structure,
content, location and implementation of all programming and projects related to the
Alliance. The Alliance is a program of the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy.
BOARD COMPOSITION & NOMINATIONS
The Philadelphia Adult Literacy Alliance aims to have an advisory board that reflects the
diversity of organizations and individuals that comprise its membership. Board
members are chosen both for their skills and expertise in specific fields and for their
personal networks with specific groups, and they are expected to bring these talents to
their role as an Alliance board member.
The members of the advisory board review candidates and makes recommendations to
the Commission for their consideration and approval. The slate of board members will
be approved annually by the Commission. Board vacancies are filled on an as-needed
basis. The Alliance’s bylaws require a minimum of 7 members and a maximum of
17.
TERMS
Alliance board members are elected to serve a two-year term that is renewable for a
second consecutive two-year term.
MEETINGS and ATTENDANCE
Board members are expected to attend board meetings every 6 weeks, which
are held on dates to be determined at the start of each year. Meetings are to be
held at a location determined by the Commission and will generally last no longer than 3
hours.
In order to maximize the advantages of having a board of diverse viewpoints, it is
important for board members to attend the regularly scheduled meetings. Attendance at
a minimum ¾ of the meetings per year is required (6 meetings). Participation by phone
may be accommodated by the Commission staff. However, board members are strongly
encouraged to attend meetings in person and to utilize this option only when absolutely
necessary. To foster full engagement of the board, which is best achieved through actual
attendance, this option should not be used by any member more than once a year.
Participation by telephone shall be equivalent to presence in person at the meeting. This
policy will be evaluated on an annual basis by the Governance Committee and the Board
Chair to ensure that it is being utilized appropriately.
DUTIES
The Alliance board performs a combination of governance and operational tasks and acts
in an advisory capacity to the Commission staff. Specific duties include:
 Governance
 Leadership & Participation on Committees
 Outreach & Membership Recruitment
 Additional Support as Required
The estimated annual time commitment for advisory board members will be 15-20 hours
per year, accounting for attendance at board meetings, quarterly meetings, alliance
programming, and participating in committee work.