Questions and Answers
About the low-income sector representative seats on the EightCAP, Inc. Governing Board
Q: What does the governing board do?
A: The Governing Board is responsible for oversight of all aspects of the Agency. It hires the President to carry out the day-to-day functions of the agency and implement the policies that it adopts. It reviews program reports, financial information, and other relevant information to ensure that agency resources are being properly managed in carrying out the mission of the Agency.
Q: Where does the Governing Board meet?
A: Most of the meetings occur at the EightCAP administrative offices near Orleans (5827 Orleans Rd, Orleans, MI). Sometimes the Board will meet at the different county office locations, but members will always get proper notice if that is the case.
Q: What are the time commitments that are required of an EightCAP, Inc. Governing Board Member?
A: The full EightCAP, Inc. Board generally has six regular meetings throughout the year, beginning in January and occurring every other month. The length of these meetings can vary, but they generally last about 2 hours. The January meeting lasts longer because it is the organizational meeting. We will also have shorter committee meetings and special meetings of the full Board from time to time.
Q: Who is eligible to serve as a low-income sector representative on the EightCAP, Inc. Governing Board?
A: The EightCAP, Inc. Bylaws set forth the eligibility requirements for a low-income sector representative on the Board. Any individual who is eligible to receive income-based services from EightCAP and who resides in our service area is eligible to fill one of these seats. Note that this does not mean that you must have actually received services from EightCAP – it only means that you would be eligible to receive services under one of EightCAP’s programs. You are asked to certify that this is the case when you complete the Candidate Interest Form. Low-income sector representatives are elected by county, and you must live in the county that you represent.
Q: Is this a paid position?
A: No. The federal rules that some of our funding sources impose on us do not allow compensation for directors. However, we can reimburse for any expenses that result from attending a meeting (for example, mileage and childcare).
Q: How long is my completed Candidate Interest Form kept on file?
A: Your completed Candidate Interest Form will be kept on file for two years from when it is turned in. If two years goes by since the date you last turned in a completed Form to EightCAP, please complete and fill out another Form if you are seeking to be a candidate.
Q: When do elections happen?
A: Elections happen every three years. There may be a special election in the event that there is a vacancy of a low-income sector representative seat on the Board and no one who received any vote in the previous regular election is able and willing to fill the vacancy.
Q: What happens after I turn in a completed “Candidate Interest Form”?
A: A member of the EightCAP, Inc. Staff will contact you the next time that an election is held to confirm that (1) you are still able and willing to serve and (2) you meet the eligibility guidelines of a low-income sector representative as set forth in the Board Bylaws.
Q: Who can I contact if I have any other questions?
A: Questions about the EightCAP Governing Board or this process can be directed to Lori Johnson, EightCAP President, at (616) 236-1037 or at lorij@8cap.org.