ITComm Cabinet & Co-Leader Job Descriptions

The following job descriptions are for volunteer positions in the EDUCAUSE IT Communicators (ITCOMM) Community Group (CG). No stipends, travel expenses, or other funds are available for any of the positions. All required meetings include an online opportunity to participate.

Co-Leader

The ITComms CG Co-Leaders generally serve a two-year term, though EDUCAUSE has recommended a three-year term. Each Co-Leader spends approximately 20-40 hours per year leading meetings and following up on specific requests made in ITComm Cabinet Meetings. Their primary responsibility is to ensure continued development opportunities for CG members through online and face-to-face conversations and presentations on topics that help improve communications in/for the IT organizations of higher educational institutions. They also become members of the EDUCAUSE CG Leaders group which meets online regularly and at the annual conference to review and strengthen the Community Group experience for all CGs.

See also the listing of CG co-leader responsibilities EDUCAUSE has provided on the CG Program Description page.

The ITComm Cabinet normally selects a new co-leader during the fall prior to or at the cabinet meeting at the annual conference. Typically, the co-leader begins their term the following January.

• 3 hours - Annual CG, CG-Leader, and Cabinet meetings at annual conference

• 5 hours - cabinet meetings

• 6 hours - follow up via email and Google Doc on various topics

• 4 hours - misc email correspondence with EDUCAUSE

• 6+ hours - CG leaders meetings hosted by EDUCAUSE

• 2+ hours (optional) supper club meeting at EDUCAUSE conference and/or connect events

To apply, interested Cabinet Members should inquire during the Spring Cabinet Meeting.

Activities OUTSIDE the primary scope of the Co-Leader's responsibilities:

• Present in Coffee Shop

• Solicit Volunteers (in addition to the presenter) to help run the Coffee Shops (1 tech host, 1 facilitator, 1 scribe, 1 PR person for each coffee shop)

• Reach out to other EDUCAUSE CGs for collaboration in virtual coffee shops

• Present at EDUCAUSE Annual and Regional events

• Solicit Volunteers for annual conference presentation proposals; put groups together, find senior mentors for each group

• Organize supper clubs at EDUCAUSE events

• Update IT Wiki pages (role of Librarian in Leadership Development)

Carlyn Chatfield's note: Over the years, I chose to take on a number of extra activities and responsibilities that are NOT in the usual bandwidth of a CG co-leader. My recommendation is that these activities should not be undertaken by the co-leader because this sets a bad precedent for the amount of work required to ably serve the community group members as a co-leader. The co-leader only serves for two years, a relatively short time to refrain from extra responsibilities and activities in the CG group. The extra activities are ideal for volunteers in the Leadership Development program. ITComm Cabinet members interested in the activity could also participate on a limited basis if their interests align with the activity.

Updated: 11-5-2018 by Stan North Martin to note changes to CG leader terms, change in name of CGs to Community Groups, and the regular CG Leader meetings.

ITComm Cabinet Member

ITComm Cabinet Members spend approximately 10 hours per year in meetings and following up on assignments from cabinet meetings. Cabinet members are selected from active participants in the ITComm CG, with the goal of ensuring diversity of institutional size, geographic location and Carnegie classification for a well-rounded representation of our peers. Cabinet members should also remain active in the ITComm CG list and activities, in whatever areas best suit their individual interests.

Current cabinet members

ITCOMM Cabinet Members are typically recruited in the fall, after the annual conference CG meeting. Current cabinet members are also reminded of expectations and given an opportunity to commit for another year--or excuse themselves--during the fall time period.

Co-Leaders receive applications from prospective Cabinet Members, review the candidates, and make recommendations to the current Cabinet Members. Voting on the new Cabinet members by the Co-Leaders and current Cabinet Members generally takes place at the Cabinet meeting following the annual conference.

To apply, contact the co-leaders. Include:

• • email expressing interest in a Cabinet Member position (why interested)

  • size, location, Carnegie classification of your institution

  • 2-4 bullet points describing previous activity in the ITComm CG.

  • 2-4 bullet points indicating your plans for future activities or contributions to the ITComm CG.

ITComm Committees (future)