Contracts

Priorities & Scheduling

BBYO understands that school and family obligations will always take precedence in a teen’s life. With that said, we expect that teens who run for Regional office can manage their school and family commitments in addition to meeting the commitments outlined below. We will make every effort to share our calendar early and avoid key school dates (AP exams, etc.). Should Regional Board members choose to take on other activities, we expect that those will not interfere with their ability to complete their work and participate actively.

Specific date ranges are noted below and will be shared in the coming weeks/months as we finalize our calendar for this next school year.

Meetings, Calls, and Ongoing Work

Officers serve as part of a large team, including all other board members and regional staff. This team will meet internally, and will support a number of groups and initiatives. Regional Board members can expect to spend 5-10 hours per week, excluding attendance at chapter events, on their work, with possible upticks during specific projects or seasons.

On a weekly basis, board members are expected to

• Connect with chapter counterparts through phone/video calls, providing guidance, feedback, and support empowering them to meet their goals.

• Attend weekly board meetings (usually remote/video)

• Connect with their board counterpart on the other (AZA or BBG) board to push forward projects and initiatives

• Attend project-specific meetings as needed

• Manage role-specific responsibilities.

  • AZA position-specific responsibilities can be found here.

  • BBG position-specific responsibilities can be found here.

• Visit a chapter event somewhere in the Bay Area (schedules will be coordinated across the board)

Beyond weekly attendance at events, Regional Board members are expected to attend the following programs in full:

• 2 Regional Conventions (dates TBC - likely late October 2023 & 3rd weekend in May 2024)

• All regional events, inclusive of initiatives, meetings, and programs (final calendar will be confirmed in partnership with the newly elected board)

• Regional Board & Execs Retreats

  • 2x Board Retreats: June & Aug 2023

  • 2x Execs Retreats: Aug 2023 & Jan 2024

• BBYO’s International Convention: February 15-19, 2024

• (N'siah and Godol only) August International Executive Conference (2nd or 3rd week in August in Omaha, NE) and February International Executive Presummit (February 14-15, 2024 at International Convention, Orlando)

* Please note that for Regional events and conventions, officers will be expected to arrive early to help prepare and remain after the program to clean and wrap up.

** Specific dates will be updated as they are confirmed, with an aim to have the full program year calendar finalized by June 2023.

*** If you have extenuating circumstances (e.g. a longstanding family event like a wedding) that could prohibit you from attending an event, please share this information during your Staff Interview prior to running for office. 

In addition to the expenses incurred by attending regional and international conventions and regional events, Regional Board members will pay for training retreats, chapter events that they visit, and will likely spend more on gas than the average BBYO teen to cover the cost of traveling to attend events around the Bay.

Scholarships are need-based and available for both regional and international programs. Central Region West makes it a priority to fulfill the vast majority of scholarship requests, recognizes the expectations places on board members to attend all programs and would not want finances to be a barrier to any teen running for office.

Your family shares the joint responsibility of ensuring you are comfortable with this commitment; if you have concerns, please contact us to discuss further.

Regional Board officers serve as role models to our members and our community. Your choices and conduct set the tone for our chapters, and many young leaders look to you as a dugmah – an example. Remember that all members of BBYO will see you as a leader and an example regardless of when they encounter you – at a BBYO event, or otherwise.

All board members commit to supporting the mission, vision, and values of BBYO, AZA, BBG, and Central Region West by:

• Adhering to BBYO’s code of conduct and all organizational and regional policies and helping to ensure that the other members of the organization do so as well.

• Partnering with professional staff to address any situation within a BBYO context that does not adhere to the code of conduct, or where health or safety are at risk.

• All Alephs and BBGs who aspire to serve as a member of an International, Regional, or Chapter Board (as well as appointed officers and chairmen) must adhere to the following pledge, stating that during any and all BBYO functions* they will not be under the influence, in the possession of, or in the same room as illegal substances, as defined by BBYO policy.

  • A “prohibited substance” is defined as:

    • Alcohol, Marijuana or Tobacco products

    • Any illegal substance

    • Any drug which requires a prescription but the person possessing or using is not the owner of the prescription

  • *BBYO functions are defined as any BBYO meetings, programs or events, including staff arranged travel to and from.

All board members commit to furthering the goals of our region and our order as members of a high-functioning, collaborative team by:

• Publicly supporting group decisions

• Publicly supporting fellow board members while privately addressing conflicts

• Working to build relationships with chapters and encouraging their engagement with the region

• Actively participating in meetings and calls

• Completing tasks in a timely fashion

• Practicing effective communication: responding to messages and calls within 24-48 hours, and allowing others the same grace.

• Working in collaboration with AZA/BBG Regional Counterpart, fellow board members and professional staff

• Amplifying fellow board members’ and other regional leaders’ events, projects, and initiatives.

• Acting with integrity and without bias or favoritism.

We endeavor to support any teen struggling with their board role, and will provide guidance, structure and feedback as requested or required. Should this prove insufficient, our course of action will typically be as follows:

1. There will be a meeting with the Regional Staff to assess the performance of the Regional Board member. It is possible that a parent/guardian will be asked to join in one a meeting like this. A plan will then be laid out to try to help the officer better fulfill his or her duties.

2. If after meeting with the staff, the officer fails to make the necessary changes agreed upon, they may lose certain privileges that come with being a board member including a loss of privileges afforded to regional board members, redistribution of projects or responsibilities, probationary periods.

3. If all other options have been exhausted, and improvement has not been seen, the Officer and Professional will discuss other options, which may include a request for resignation.

Violation of BBYO policies or code of conduct may be subject to the above consequences in addition to disciplinary action, as needed.

• Support your teen in their leadership role: help them process and reflect

• Support your teen in managing and balancing responsibilities

• Partner with your teen in ensuring their availability to participate in all required events (this may involve balancing financial, schedule, and transportation responsibilities).

• Communicate with our staff about any concerns you have about your teen’s experience in this role

• Attend Regional Board parent meetings, if called.

• Endeavor to support BBYO Central Region West – with your time, knowledge, hospitality, experience, or in any other way you choose. You might:

  • Open your home to a BBYO event

  • Offer your expertise, where applicable

  • Serve as an advocate for the organization to other parents (ad hoc, or at parent nights and other such events)