Consultants to LL Boards

• Be available for consultation when needed. Contact LLP stressing your availability.
• Become acquainted with the LL and the community it serves. Learn as much as possible of its past problems, contributions, and the leadership that has shaped it in order to understand why the LL functions as it does.
• Maintain a close contact with the LLP. Make sure the LLP knows of approaching state deadlines and has up-to-date and accurate information. Read the local newsletter and minutes monthly. Offer assistance in areas when it appears to be needed, or contact another Board member who can help. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" but know where to go to get answers.
• Attend at least one meeting, other than a board meeting, during the year. A meeting on a Program item (unit or general membership) is a good way to learn how well a LL is functioning. Contact the president before your visit.

There is no single blueprint for the consultant. LLs do not have the same strengths or weaknesses. Leadership differs, and understanding of the League varies from one LL to another. The consultant should recognize these differences and adjust her approach accordingly. The job is not to provide ready-made answers but to make suggestions to help the LL develop its own ideas, as long as they are within the framework of the basic priciples and procedures of LWVMD.

 

Flexibility and adaptability are important. Consider the circumstances relating to the particular LL. What is considered to be standard operating procedure in one LL may be impossible or unnecessary in another. Refrain from saying "In my League ...”.

 

It is unwise to attend too many meetings. Too frequent visits may foster too much dependence on the consultant or be a source of annoyance if the LL feels the consultant is watching its every move.Stress the importance of a strong, cohesive statewide League. Try to de-emphasize the "we-they" syndrome (we the LL, they the Board or vise versa).

 

A letter, email or call to the Field Support Director should follow a visit. Reports of specific problems or strengths of your assigned LL are very helpful. State workshops are frequently based on needs of LLs.Consider writing a note after a visit to the LL. It gives you the chance to reinforce suggestions, or it might provide an opportunity to mention ideas about how to improve or change procedures rather than appear critical or "pushy" at the visit.MAL Units are assigned an advisor who has additional duties and helps guide them to achieve LL status.