Executive Board Position Summaries
The Old Oaks Civic Association (OOCA) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates with its residents and the agencies serving our area to focus on the needs of our neighborhood.
The association exchanges information in order to strengthen the community involvement of residents, families, businesses, churches and other establishments for the general welfare and enrichment of the entire community.
The Executive Board exists to serve and supervise affairs of OOCA. We hold monthly civic meetings featuring speakers from the City of Columbus, coordinate multiple community building events in the area, and concentrate on the voices of as many Old Oaks neighbors as possible.
To do this, we need volunteers! Are you:
Passionate about the community?
Have the time and eagerness to participate?
Curious to learn more about Old Oaks and how the Civic Association works?
Have a desire for service and setting up OOCA for success long after board terms are over?
Have ideas and solutions for challenges in the community you see today?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider joining the Executive Board! Every Board position holds a 2 year term and is up for election in November on even numbered years. Nominations must be submitted by the end of the October monthly meeting. Here are summaries of each Executive Board position. See which one is right for you:
President
The President of the Old Oaks Civic Association Executive Board is in charge of the monthly civic meetings that are held every 2nd Monday of the month. Their job is to open the meeting, announce the agenda, moderate discussions, announce vote results (if any), and adjourn the meeting. However, it takes much more than presentation skills to be an effective President! A President’s main concern should be for the well being of the neighborhood and everyone in it. They should continuously learn about the history and culture of Old Oaks, the natural talents of the Civic Association members, and all the novel ideas our neighbors have to offer. As the ambassador of the Civic Association, a President should be open and welcoming to all, and always be willing to serve the needs of Old Oaks. If you find it easy to talk to people, direct others, think strategically, and foster cooperation, consider becoming our next Old Oaks Civic Association President!
Vice President
The Vice President of the Old Oaks Civic Association Executive Board is in charge of performing the President’s duties in their absence. It could be filling in while the President is away, or stepping into the role fully if the President seat is vacant. While this is the role as defined, the Vice President can do much more than wait for the President to be away. The Vice President can work in tandem with the President by sharing the load of leadership, working to implement strategies, and filling in the gaps in expertise. Like the President, the Vice President should hold a willingness to serve the needs of the neighborhood with everyone’s well being in mind. If you have similar traits as an effective President, but prefer to lead from the middle of the pack rather than in front of it, the Vice President role may be for you!
Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary is in charge of keeping records of all meeting minutes, lists of all committees and their members, and maintaining the bylaws. The Recording Secretary is also in charge of performing the Treasurer’s duties in their absence, so these positions must also work closely together. The Recording Secretary is not just a note taker. They must keep clear and concise records that improve communication and efficiency, and protect the association from legal liability with a strong paper trail. For example, the Recording Secretary’s minutes can provide context for future governing boards, create a historical timeline of the organization’s growth and impact ,and serve as evidence in a dispute within or against the Civic Association. An effective Recording Secretary should be able to extract and communicate key information from long, windy conversations. They should be knowledgeable on Civic Association policies and procedures. And finally, they should be able to review and send out minutes in a timely fashion, preferably between 2-7 days after a meeting, while the conversations are still fresh in everyone’s minds. If you value organization, reflection, and diligence, consider being our Recording Secretary!
Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for sending messages on behalf of the Old Oaks Civic Association via email, Facebook, and other forms of communications. They also notify new officers and committee members of their nomination to these roles. The Corresponding Secretary is the voice of the Old Oaks Civic Association. This position is also in charge of performing the Recording Secretary’s duties in their absence, so the two secretaries work closely together. If you hold similar values as the Recording Secretary with an emphasis on spreading awareness through writing, Corresponding Secretary may be right for you!
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for providing financial oversight for the Old Oaks Civic Association and to protect it from financial risks such as fraud and non compliance. As a Non Profit Organization, the Civic Association needs strong financial management to survive. To support this need, the Treasurer creates annual budgets in January, presents monthly cash flow reports to the Executive Board, and presents an annual finance report in December. They also maintain our 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exemption by annually filing with the IRS and with the Ohio Secretary of State's charitable registrations section. The Treasurer is a key part of the team. They are responsible for reimbursing members, paying bills, and collecting membership fees. They work with the President to sign off on check payments, with the Recording Secretary to create lists of paid members, and with the Director of Fundraising to report money received through fundraising events. An effective Treasurer must be able to communicate clearly using their reports, keep track of multiple projects across varying timelines, and handle sensitive information safely and securely. If you possess this combination of skills, the Treasurer may be the role for you!
Chaplain
The Chaplain’s role is short, but sweet. They are responsible for reciting and leading invocations and benedictions at the beginning and end of every monthly meeting or other events. If you are not ordained, have no fear! The Champlain can start off the meeting by providing an inspirational quote or story to set the tone of the meeting. If you have a gift for storytelling (not too long please) or motivating a crowd, you could be our next Chaplain!
Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms is responsible for protecting Civic Association meetings from disruptions, intrusions, and other nefarious acts. They preserve order at these meetings, deny entry to unauthorized persons, and are responsible for setting up and tearing down. They also assist the President by checking the members list to ensure voting integrity. If you have a strong sense of order and are willing to stand up to wrongdoers, then we need you to be our Sergeant at Arms!
Director of Fundraising
While the Treasure is responsible for holding the purse, the Director of Fundraising is here to help fill it. Their job is to coordinate fundraising events with committees and propose new fundraising ideas. Fundraising is the lifeblood for Non Profit Organizations such as the Civic Association, and it ensures we can continue to hold all the fun events we have come to enjoy in the neighborhood and more. If you have a talent for inspiring philanthropy and a desire to gather support for our neighborhood, please sign up for our Director of Fundraising position!
