ELIOT INSTITUTE  COMMITTEE CHARTERS      
(Revised January 2024)

NOTE:  This document lists the various Eliot Institute committees, with a short description of the responsibilities of each.  Full descriptions including the responsibilities, structure, eligibility, sub-committees, timelines, etc., are listed individually through the links below.

A list of committees is also the on the Eliot website at  About Us➞ Board Manual, Policies, and Procedures  Resources ➞ Part C: Committees,

A list of Committee Chairs is found at About Us ➞ Committee Chairs

CANADIAN-AMERICAN (Can-Am)

Supervises the continuing development of Eliot at a British Columbia site. Reviews financial and operational issues pertaining to a British Columbia camp, as well as providing any other input the Board requests regarding cross-border or specifically Canadian issues.

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Canadian-American (Can-Am)

CHAPLAIN 

Supports the pastoral needs of Eliot Institute by selecting the most appropriate Chaplains for our Eliot camps, and arranging for obituaries to be written for Elioteers. 

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Chaplain

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Enables Eliot to provide the best possible children’s experience at camp.  Monitors effectiveness of children’s and infants’ program and policy, identifying improvements or enhancement as needed. Provides guidance to Board, Camp Deans and Children’s Program Directors on all related issues. Recommends policies for Board consideration. Responsibility includes babies through Middle Age Group (MAGs), birth through 13 or 8th Grade.  

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Children's Program

COMMUNICATIONS — MARKETING

Promotes Eliot Institute among Unitarian Universalists, their friends and families. Builds community through awareness of the Eliot mission, attendance at Eliot camps, and through participation in leadership opportunities. Annually reviews and amends the Communications Marketing Plan. Implements the plan using tactics that will increase the numbers of new campers at Eliot, assure maximum numbers of current campers re-register for future Eliot camps, and help the existing Eliot community understand and support any changes made to camp activities and policies by the Eliot Board or Registrar.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Communications - Marketing

CREATIVE ARTS ELIOT

Ensures that each “Creative Arts Eliot” camp has excellent workshop presenters covering a range of creative realms which collectively will have broad appeal to the Eliot community. 

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Creative Arts Eliot

EXECUTIVE/PERSONNEL

Made up of the officers of the Board of Directors — the President, President-Elect, Vice President-Communications, and the Secretary/Treasurer, to handle board matters that may occur between regular Board Meetings.

See the detailed description at  About Us Board Resources Part C: Committees Executive

FINANCE

Ensure the financial well-being of Eliot Institute. Under the direction of the Eliot Board Treasurer, and as directed by the Board, provide oversight of the financial affairs of the Eliot Institute. Advises the Board on investment strategies for Eliot Institute’s assets.

See the detailed description at  About Us Board Resources Part C: Committees Finance

FUNDRAISING

Organizes and promotes the annual fundraising campaign, long-term planned giving campaign, and major gift fundraising. Develops guidelines, procedures, and policies for fundraising for Eliot’s three funds: Scholarship Fund, Operations Fund and Opportunity Fund. Organizes and promotes twice-annual appeals directed towards supporting Board strategic goals.

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Fundraising

GOVERNANCE

Assists the Board as necessary with tasks that help the Board carry out Eliot’s mission and strategic plan. Recommends changes/revisions that bring clarity, consistency, and improved governance and be available to the Board, as needed. Reviews Eliot Bylaws to ensure they are up to date and reflect the current structure and work of the board. Periodically reviews committee charters and structure to ensure they serve the needs of Eliot. Board Member onboarding & training.

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Governance

HEALTH & SAFETY

Ensures the health and safety of all persons at Eliot Institute camps. Advises the Board and camp Deans about protocols and procedures to ensure the health and safety of all persons attending Eliot Institute camps. Advises and supports in-camp First Aid Coordinators. Advises the Board about any health-and-safety-related issues that may impact Eliot’s insurance and/or liability.

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Health and Safety

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Encourages diverse participation in leadership roles. Serves Eliot campers by helping them find their niche in leadership roles at camp and on committees. Identifies and recruits non-Board volunteers to serve on Eliot Committees. Recruits experienced Eliot campers as Deans for future camps and assist Deans by recommending staff.

See the detailed description at  About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Leadership Development 

NOMINATING (NomCom)

Finds broad-minded, wise, committed, discerning Eliot campers who are willing and able to serve our beloved community. Helps to build a strong organization with dedicated leadership, and to nurture and mentor new leaders and to offer meaningful volunteer opportunities. Seeks qualified volunteers from the Eliot Community for election to the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee membership. Reviews, assesses, and uses the Leadership Development Committee’s (LDC) and community’s suggestions to select nominees to serve on the Eliot Board and the Nominating Committee.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Nominating

PERSONNEL

A Committee of the whole of the Executive Committee, handling day-to-day matters and making recommendation to the Board regarding staff positions and compensation. 

PROGRAM 

Researches and contracts thoughtful and engaging speakers that support our campers’ exploration of spirituality and growth. Ensures that speakers are booked for July, August, and Winter camps. Ensures that speakers are supported at camps.

See the detailed description at  About Us Board Resources Part C: Committees Program

REGISTRATION & EVALUATION (REC)

Serves as a resource and provides input as requested to the Administrator for the implementation of the registration and room assignment process. Guides the implementation of Eliot’s financial assistance procedures. Oversees camp evaluation process.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Registration & Evaluation

RIGHT RELATIONS TEAM

Facilitate the well-being of the Eliot Community by fostering harmonious relations and mediating conflicts within the community. Tend the Eliot Covenant, and support the Eliot community in living into the Covenant. Nurture and support Right Relations between Eliot campers, staff, and others we interact with as we plan and implement Eliot camps.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Right Relations Team

SOCIAL JUSTICE & INCLUSION

Ensures that Eliot is a welcoming and inclusive organization in its programming, policies and procedures. Helps to create a community that engages community members to identify gaps in equity  and collaborate on ways to close those gaps.  Provides learning opportunities for education in social justice and social action. Helps Eliot community members grow their curiosity and knowledge to foster mutual respect. Assists Eliot leaders and its organization in becoming more culturally competent and antiracist. 

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Social Justice & Inclusion (coming soon)

TECHNOLOGY

Researches, recommends, and implements technological solutions to further the Eliot Institute mission. Provides support for technological infrastructure including but not limited to the website, registration process, camper database, camp surveys, and hardware and software systems owned by the organization.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Technology 

YOUTH

Makes recommendations on issues affecting the youth program at Eliot camps. Provides recommendations to Deans for youth program staff. Acts as a resource to youth program staff at Eliot camps. Responsibility includes Grade 9 to age 17 inclusive.

See the detailed description at About Us ➞ Board Resources ➞ Part C: Committees ➞ Youth