Advisory Council Volunteer Expectations

Thank you for your interest in serving on Heart of Missouri United Way's Education Impact Advisory Council, which supports our Community Investment Process. Impact Advisory Council volunteers are responsible for recommending to the United Way Board of Directors the best way to invest funds raised in our community for our community. With requests for funds routinely in excess of available funding, the Impact Advisory Council volunteers have a complex and difficult set of decisions. In 2024, we anticipate receiving 18-20 proposals from 16-18 organizations requesting funding for programs aiming to improve education outcomes of clients they serve.

Impact Advisory Council volunteers commit to the full schedule of advisory council activities, which includes attending the training sessions, reading written grant proposals, watching agency presentations, participating in at least two virtual Q&A Sessions, and decision-making discussions to contribute equitably to the decision-making process. Throughout the process, volunteers must promote values of inclusion, diversity, and equity and the advanced equitable opportunities for all. The Community Investment process is transparent. Only those Impact Advisory Council volunteers who have met the commitments described below will participate in decision-making discussions for making funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Participating in the whole process is imperative for equitable decision-making that improves lives in our community. We hope providing the Advisory Council activities with descriptions in advance and having a mostly virtual process will help ensure your full participation.

Thank you for your interest in serving our community.

If you need assistance or have questions please email Courtney Simmons, Chief Community Impact Officer at cdaviess@uwheartmo.org and Krista Myer, Community Impact Specialist at kmyer@uwheartmo.org.

Thank you,
Courtney and Krista

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* 1. Heart of Missouri United Way values the insights and expertise of people based on their diverse lived experiences, professions, and academic knowledge. Our goal is to include many volunteers and their various perspectives on the Impact Advisory Council to ensure equitable decision-making. Please tell us about yourself.


1. What does equity in Education mean to you? (1 or 2 sentences)

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* 2. Why do you want to be a member of the Education Impact Advisory Council? (1 or 2 sentences)

Examples include but are not limited to: Retired teacher, prior recipient of services, I feel like I can really impact community change through this role because.....

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* 3. Why do you believe you will be an effective member of the Education Impact Advisory Council? (1 or 2 sentences)

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* 4. Your Ethnic Identity

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* 5. Your Gender Identity

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* 6. Your preferred pronouns. (i.e. she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/their, etc.)

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* 7. Do you have any special accommodation requests?

Impact Advisory Council Activities
(Specific dates will be determined by late July. The final calendar will be updated and shared with applicants.)

1. Trainings: (AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024)
~ Evaluating Grant Proposals and Technology Training (In-person Attendance Required)
~ United Way's Equity Minded Approach
2. Advisory Council Volunteers May Independently Begin Evaluation of Grant Proposals. All Grant Proposal reviews can be performed at your convenience before your scheduled Site Visits.
~ Watch 5-minute Virtual Proposal Presentation videos
~ Read grant applications
~ Read Education Investment Strategy Alignment Questionnaire Responses
(To be performed at your convenience over a 2 1/2 - 3 week period)
3. Site Visits: (SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024)
Advisory Council volunteers will be asked to sign-up for at least 2 in-person 45-minute site visits. A site visit will be scheduled for each proposal submitted. You will be able to sign-up based on your availability.
(In-person Attendance Required)
4. Advisory Council Discussion 1: (OCTOBER 2024)
Boone Impact Group Partners Discussion with Council, Council Review of Initial Scores, Proposal Discussion, Council begins to make recommendations to lead the Discussion 2.
(In-person Attendance Required for all AC)
6. Advisory Council Discussion 2: (OCTOBER 2024)
Review of Scores, Review Discussion 1 recommendations and continue discussions to make recommendations for Discussion 3. (In-person Attendance Required for all AC)
7. Advisory Council Discussion 3/Final: (OCTOBER 2024)
Review of Final Scores, Review Discussion 2 recommendations and continue discussions, Finalize Funding Recommendations. (In-Attendance Required for all AC)
8. Thursday, November 7, 2024, 8:00am - 9:00am
Community Impact Committee review and approve funding recommendations for the Board of Directors Meeting on November 20th. (Only the Advisory Council Chair will Attend)
9. Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 7:30 – 8:45 am
The Heart of Missouri United Way Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, and vote on the investment recommendations made by the Community Impact Committee informed by Advisory Council. Advisory Council volunteers are invited to attend this board meeting if they would like. (Only Advisory Council Chair Attendance is Required)

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* 8. By electronically providing my full name, I acknowledge and understand the expectations of serving on the Impact Advisory Council.

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