Your passport to global affairs

Our Board is Different from Most 

Even though NCWA's programs are active for about six months of the year, the Board of Directors of NCWA meets 11 months of the year -- and more often when needed.

Unlike many world affairs chapters, it is a hands-on "working board" with very little outside support. Board members do the strategic planning and then pitch in to handle the details of getting your programs done. We pay outside contractors to help us with the call center, accounting and printing, but the most of the administrative tasks are performed by our volunteer Board members. 

As a result, members get to know each other well and form collegial bonds among themselves and the teams they lead. We grow our leadership from the inside, up through the ranks. 

Our "working Board" model also deepens the commitment of Board members to NCWA and to their areas of focus. We have four major program areas, each of which requires detailed attention -- Lectures, Great Decisions, School Programs and Model UN.

In the website pages that follow, we'll introduce you to members of this hard-working board and give you some information about their backgrounds. We hope you'll be impressed and raise your hand to join the fun work available in various committees that implement NCWA's many worthwhile programs. Instructions for accessing Board member biographies are at the top of this page.

Here's What Your Board Does
During the Fiscal Year (July 1-June 30)

August -- Membership cards are mailed to members, along with the lecture calendar for the coming season
September/October -- Finalize lecture schedule and the budget, planning is underway for Great Decisions, Model UN, Academic WorldQuest and scholarship programs
November -- Lectures begin (two per month until early April), Nominating Committee establishes its meeting schedule to fill Board vacancies
December -- Great Decisions planning with group leaders is finalized, books arrive, Nominating Committee begins meeting; deadline for student applications for summer scholarships
January -- Great Decisions group leaders hold kickoff meetings, 8-week program launches, review of summer scholarship applications 
February -- Applicants for scholarships are interviewed, preparation is in high gear for all student programs, member renewal for July 1 fiscal year begins
March -- Model UN competition, Academic WorldQuest competitions for middle school and high school, Great Decisions program ends, Annual Dinner will occur in March or April with announcement of Educator of the Year and Volunteers of the Year
April -- Lectures end, Annual Meeting presents new slate of Board candidates, Board officers are elected, new Board is oriented and begins planning for next season, season's programs are evaluated
May-July -- Board meetings continue, including strategy planning. One summer month is taken off.