Ronald McDonald House Committees

The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan facilitates the use of many committees to assist in the operations and goals of the House. Please review the committees listed below and contact the appropriate person to find out more information on how you can serve on a WMRMH committee!

Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan Committees

Ethics Committee

Staff Liaison: Lisa Evans (levans@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: Meets As Needed

Committee Role & Responsibility:

Develops and applies guidelines for ensuring ethical behavior and resolving ethical conflicts.

Executive Board/Committee

Staff Liaison: Lisa Evans (levans@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: 4th Thursday of Every Month - Immediately Following Regular Board Meeting

Finance Committee

Staff Liaison: Lisa Evans (levans@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: Meets Quarterly or As Needed

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To review budgets initially prepared by staff, to help develop appropriate procedures for budget preparations (such as meaningful involvement by program directors), and on a consistency between the budget and the organization's plans
To report to the Board any financial irregularities, concerns, opportunities
To recommend financial guidelines to the Board (such as to establish a reserve fund or to obtain a line of credit for a specified amount)
To work with staff to design financial reports and ensure that reports are accurate and timely
To oversee short and long-term investments, unless there is a separate investments committee
To recommend selection of the auditor and work with the auditor, unless there is a separate audit committee, and
To advise the Executive Director and other appropriate staff on financial priorities and information systems, depending on committee member expertise.

Additional Roles of Finance Committee:
The role of the Audit Committee encompasses interviewing auditors, reviewing bids, recommending selection of an auditor to the Board, receiving the auditor's report, meeting with the auditor, and responding to the auditor's recommendations. The annual audit is the only time the organization's financial systems are reviewed by an independent outsider, and as a result the auditor's report is an important mechanism for the Board to obtain independent information about the organization's activities.

Fund Development Committee

Staff Liaison: Joe Dulin (jdulin@wmrmh.org)

Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday of Every Month @ 8 a.m. RMH Conference Room

Committee Role & Responsibility:

Responsible for overseeing the organization's overall fundraising efforts, specifically the fundraising and personal solicitation efforts of the Board.
To work with staff to establish a Fund Development Plan that incorporates a series of appropriate vehicles, such as special events, direct mail, grant writing, product sales, etc.
To work with fundraising staff in their efforts to raise money
To take the lead in certain types of outreach efforts, such as chairing a dinner/dance/gala committee or hosting fundraising parties, etc.
To be responsible for involvement of all Board members in fundraising, such as having Board members make telephone calls to ask for support or send personal solicitations and thank you letters to donors, and
To monitor fundraising efforts to be sure that ethical practices are in place, that donors are acknowledged appropriately, and that fundraising efforts are cost effective.

Guest Services Committee

Staff Liaison: Megan Priester (mpriester@wmrmh.org)

Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday of Every Month @ 12 noon RMH Conference Room

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To oversee new program development, and to monitor and assess existing guest and volunteer programs
To initiate and guide guest and volunteer evaluations (recognition/retention and recruitment of volunteers)
To facilitate discussions about service/program priorities offered to guest families
To facilitate discussions and provide recommendations for service/program priorities offered to the community
To create, maintain and update the agency “Wish List”
To assist in the solicitation of in-kind contributions of goods and services to support guest families and children programs (pantry, taxi service, condolences, meals, bedding, entertainment, social support etc.)
To work with the staff to establish and review policies and procedures relevant to guest in-take, check out, and volunteer activities (office, housekeepers, drivers etc.).
To assist in developing strategies for communicating w/ agency referral sources and developing strategic partnerships for guest services and amenities.

Marketing Committee

Staff Liaison: Joe Dulin (jdulin@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: 2nd Tuesday of Every Month @ 12 noon RMH Conference Room
Committee Role & Responsibility:

To review and assist in creation of published materials (newsletters, brochures, posters, news releases, and PSA’s
To assist in review and creation of agency web-site
To evaluate agency brand/image and develop appropriate marketing/public relations strategies to improve community awareness of services and programs
To assist in promotion of Third Party Events/Fund Raisers and agency participation in community fairs, expo’s and other appropriate media events
Oversees development and implementation of the Marketing Plan, including identifying potential markets, their needs, how to meet those needs with products/services/programs, and how to promote and sell programs and services to increase agency referrals
Represents the organization to the community; enhances the organization's image, including communications with the press.

Nominations/By-Laws Committee

Staff Liaison: Lisa Evans (levans@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: Quarterly or As Needed

Committee Role & Responsibility:

Responsible for the general affairs of the Board and ensures the agency compliance with current by-laws, RMHC Global policies and procedures, and best practices of non-profit organizations
To prepare priorities for Board composition
To meet with prospective Board members and recommend candidates to the Board
To recommend a slate of officers to the Board
To conduct orientation sessions for new Board members, to organize training sessions for the entire Board, and
To suggest new, non-Board individuals for committee membership.

Operations and Maintenance Committee

Staff Liaison: Joe VanderMolen (jvandermolen@wmrmh.org)

Meeting Time: 3rd Tuesday of Every Month @ 7:30 a.m. RMH Conference Room

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To work with the Facilities & Operations Manager and Executive Director on House issues; policies and procedures relative to preventive maintenance, equipment purchase, House repairs and emergency planning/procedures
To assist staff in developing “green” initiatives/improvements for building and facilities
To assist staff in identifying “Capital Campaign” expenditures
To assist staff in working with the referral sources to meet guest room issues
To assist staff in working with social workers, county departments regarding rental income/invoicing
To review service contracts and deal with subcontractors regarding problems, repairs and maintenance in the House.

Personnel Committee

Staff Liaison: Lisa Evans (levans@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: Meets Quarterly or As Needed

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To draft and/or revise personnel policies for Board approval
To review job descriptions, establish a salary structure, and annually review staff salaries, and benefits package
To review the performance of the Executive Director
To review and approve performance assessment measures
To review and address grievances and resolve employee complaints employee complaints.

Note: The personnel committee acts only on formal written grievances against the Executive Director or when an employee formally appeals a decision by the Executive Director to the Board.

Special Event Committee

Staff Liaison: Joe Dulin (jdulin@wmrmh.org)
Meeting Time: 3rd Thursday of Every Month @ 12 noon RMH Conference Room

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To coordinate the Board's assignments on a particular event, such as an annual dinner, gala, auction etc.
To organize, plan and assist in the coordination of all events
To assist in the solicitation of donors for sponsorship, prizes and auction items
To volunteer and/or assist in the coordination of other volunteers at an event
To assist in acquiring best prices on printing and promotion of the event
To assist in graphics design and production of invitations, sponsor forms, posters etc.

Volunteer Services Committee

Staff Liaison: Megan Priester (mpriester@wmrmh.org)

Meeting Time: 4th Tuesday of every month at 12 noon

Committee Role & Responsibility:

To develop and implement volunteer recruitment plan
To recruit new volunteers to serve as Guest Services Volunteers, House Warmers, Shuttle Drivers, McMeal Makers, McCookie Bakers, and McDairy Pals
To plan annual volunteer appreciation event and other forms of ongoing volunteer recognition
To set criteria and select annual award recipients