Product Description
Approved by the Commissioners' Conference February 2003
When Advisory Boards were first conceived, the idea was simply to help The Salvation Army do its job - a support group. There was a great deal of wisdom in this plan to involve community leadership in the mission of The Salvation Army. To day, and for the future, the need for advisory boards has moved beyond supportive to imperative. The Salvation Army is dependent upon committed volunteer boards to see it through the complex days ahead, and officers need to be equipped to work with them and relate to them.
Advisory Boards have become a motivating force in local communities. Members become The Salvation Army's advocates, advisors, negotiators, supporters and managers of its position in the community. It is the Advisory Board that brings continuity to the work of The Salvation Army, especially during transitions such as change of Salvation Army officers.
Because of periodic changes of officer personnel, Advisory Boards become increasingly important in helping new officers get up to speed quickly in a community, and make the officer's transition easier. The board can hep the officer adjust to the needs, personality, political climate, demographics, culture, and other characteristics of a community.
Another key element, however, is support and direction for the corps officer. The first commitment of officers is to be ministers of the Gospel and pastors to those people placed within their care. Salvation Army officers may bring certain skills and education into their role, but with the complex operations of today there is no way an officer and possess expertise in every area of operation. Board members bring their own skills and gifts to the table, and the wise officer will take advantage of these skills to support the mission of The Salvation Army.
This manual is designed to help the officer define his relationship wit the Advisory Board, underscore effective board operations, and emphasize the officer's role in board development. The officers must realize that working with boards is part of their ministry. They must also realize that an effective and progressive program in the community is dependent upon a strong effective Advisory Board. That board will only develop in correlation with the leadership and vision provided by the corpse officer. Therefore, if they are to accomplish all that they hope to do in a community, they will need to devote significant time and focus to board operation and development.
