All non-profit organizations rely on the guidance and support of community members, who may participate as Board members. This is so with RSVP's sponsor, Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. and as Advisory Council members, in our case. The RSVP Advisory Council meets every other month, with committees meeting as needed.

The RSVP handbook elaborates on the roles and functions of the Advisory Council, which include:

• forming policy and procedure
• promoting community support for the project
• raising funds and obtaining in-kind donations
• evaluating the project on an annual basis
• planning and implementing recognition events
• assessing compelling community needs
• recruiting volunteers to meet those needs

Our Advisory Council has four working committees:

• Program Planning and Evaluation: reviews and amends three year plan; conducts and compiles annual survey
• Finance and Development: reviews financial reports; plans and implements fundraising activities
• Membership: recruits new Advisory Council members
• Public Relations: prepares news releases; establishes contacts with media representatives; keeps current on relevant legislative matters

Ideally, the RSVP Advisory Council is made up of a variety of people: RSVP volunteers, station representatives; professionals with a variety of skills to round out the committees, such as health care workers, clergy, bookkeepers and journalists; as well as a diverse range of community members including people with disabilities and minorities. New Advisory Council members are nominated by the Membership Committee, based on suggestions by other Council members and volunteers. Nominees are voted on by the Council at the annual Advisory Council meeting held each September.

The health of any organization depends on fiscal responsibility, good communication, common sense, an ability to adapt to change, and leadership. These strengths come from the volunteers, the organizations we serve, the staff, the sponsor and the Advisory Council, all working as a team.