Membership & Engagement Council Charter

Committee /Task Force / Council Name	Membership & Engagement Council (MEC)
Last Updated	September 7, 2022
Mission / Charge	The MEC is charged with advancing the Society’s exempt purpose and strategic plan by identifying trends and needs in the SLAS Community and among potential customers. The MEC will direct respective committees to respond to support the SLAS Community on a global scale. In fulfilling its charge, the Council will, among other things, annually develop and transmit to the Board an annual plan for the Society’s membership and engagement that will include goals, activities and budget for the upcoming year on or before the date set by the Board. This plan will include how the Society is managing membership recruitment, retention and engagement of the Community to ensure a sustainable and growing membership and engaged Community.
Specific Deliverables	It is the responsibility of the MEC to regularly monitor the SLAS Membership and Community and determine and anticipate Member and Community needs and preferred options for engagement across all priority demographics as defined by the SLAS Strategic Plan. It is then the responsibility of the MEC to ensure coordinated efforts are implemented by those committees reporting up to the Council that leverage all SLAS resources across all geographies. And perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board. Specifically, the MEC: Monitors data coming from the SLAS Community on engagement levels and makes recommendations for adjustments as needed. Conducts regular environmental scans of Community needs and competitive options relative to the SLAS Community Ensures appropriate SLAS resources are deployed in a coordinated effort to accomplish membership and engagement goals as approved by the Board. Ensures global consideration is given to all membership and engagement efforts.
Level of Authority	The MEC reviews and advances for approval by the Board all budgets for programs and activities in the areas of membership and engagement. These include all recruitment, retention and engagement efforts. The MEC approves committee members for those committees reporting up to this Council (i.e. Advocacy Committee, Awards and Grants Committee, Membership Committee).
Other Committees/TF’s/Councils with Which This Group Interacts	Reports to Board of Directors Committees that report to MEC: Awards and Grants Committee (AGC) Membership Committee (MC)
Number of Members, Terms & Rotation	The Council shall be composed of (six)6 voting members all of whom shall be Members of the Society. The members will include the chair and vice chair from each of the Committees reporting up to the MEC and two ad-hoc members. The two (2) ad hoc members should balance the regional representation of the Council members (North America, Europe and Asia). The two ad-hoc members shall be appointed by the Board. The appointed Council members shall take office at the International Conference following their approval by the Board, and shall serve for a term of three (3) years and until their successors are appointed by the Board. Council members’ coming from the Committees shall have terms which are staggered every two years and in line with their Committee term. The Council shall determine its own Chair and Vice Chair. The terms of Chair and Vice Chair will be one year. The Vice Chair moves into the Chair position when their term as Vice Chair is complete, pending approval by the Council. In addition to the foregoing six (6) Council members, the Council will include a member of the Board, who will be appointed by the Board and will be a non-voting, ex officio member. Said Council member shall, without limitation, facilitate communications between the Board and the Council, and shall serve on the Council until his/her successor is appointed by the Board.
Desired Member Skills	MEC members will be dues paying members, active participants in the Society and be willing to serve and represent SLAS as involved leaders. They will have a broad understanding of the goals and work of the Society, specifically with a good understanding of the needs of the member in all stages of their career.
Type & Frequency of Meetings	Four conference calls plus two in-person meetings, one of which will be at the International Conference the other a full-day meeting mid-year. Travel expenses will be covered by SLAS for the mid-year meeting only. Email discussions are not common but when requested, feedback within 24 hours is requested.
Budget	Budget recommendation/oversight for the following programs: Membership recruitment and retention plans Engagement monitoring and evaluation tools and resources All awards and grants programs Global policy monitoring resources
Staff Liaison	Mary Geismann, Director, Membership and Engagement