September 13, 2010 1

CORE GroupBoard of Directors’

Strategic Retreat

SUMMARY OF DECISIONS

14 September 2010

2September 13, 2010

Purpose of the Strategic Retreat of 13 September 2010

In the context of the CORE Group’s 2009-2013 Strategic Plan, we developed key decisions and next steps regarding:

CORE Group membership – policies and growth objectives

Changes to composition of the CORE Group Board

Reasons for changes: ↑sustainability; foster appropriate growth; secure needed capacity on the board; formalize participation of long-standing friends of CORE.

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The Key Issues

1. Membership Growth (65 membership organizations by 2013)

2. Revised Fee Structures: (Starting in 2012, will increase fees to increasingly make up for reduced subsidy)

3. Organizational Associates 4. Individual Associates5. Working Group Leadership & Participation (more

at a later date)6. Board Composition

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Issue #3: Organizational AssociatesCurrent Plan & Situation

CORE’s 2009-2013 Strategic Plan calls for defining associate membership for non-NGO entities and building an associate membership base of 10 institutions by 2013.

Current practice allows individuals from unaffiliated organizations (e.g., universities, CAs, for-profits) to participate in CORE-sponsored activities and access CORE resources without limitation and without paying annual fees, and without being officially connected to CORE Group. We want to bring them from the “CORE Group community” into the “CORE Group family.”

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Decisions: Organizational Associates

Allow Organizational Associates. Eligibility criteria will be:

Incorporated in the U.S. Focused on improving the effectiveness of

community-based approaches to MCH Committed to CORE’s values Willing to contribute and participate actively

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Decisions: Organizational Associates

Their rights and benefits will be the same as for CORE members except:

Cannot vote or otherwise make decisions that set CORE’s direction

Can serve as a co-chair of a working group

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Decisions: Organizational Associates

Application and fees: Applicants will be voted on by the Board

only. Organizational Associates will pay the

same annual fees as CORE members.The Board will monitor growth of Associates on an

annual basis, for now.

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Issue #4: Individual Associates

Current Situation

Current practice allows unaffiliated individuals (e.g., consultants) to participate in CORE-sponsored activities and access CORE resources without limitation and with no annual fee. Not officially associated with CORE Group. We want to welcome these individuals in, as well.

9September 13, 2010

Decisions: Individual AssociatesAllow Individual Associates. Eligibility criteria: Full-fledged MCH professional (not

student/intern) Not currently employed by an organization that

could be a CORE Member Organization Willing to contribute and participate actively

Note: Students and interns will be encouraged to intern for a Working Group as an alternative way of affiliating themselves with CORE.

10September 13, 2010

Decisions: Individual Associates

Their rights and benefits will be the same as CORE members except:

Cannot vote or otherwise make decisions that set CORE’s direction

Can serve as a co-chair of a Working Group Note: Will be able to post their name on the

CORE list of consultants. (Non-Associates would no longer be eligible.)

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Issue #6: Board Composition

Current Situation

The 2009-2013 Strategic Plan calls for modifying the Board’s composition to provide important additional organizational competencies.

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Decisions: Board Composition

1. The Board will propose amending the bylaws to allow for up to 25% of Board members to come from outside the membership.

2. The Board will create and implement a Board Development Plan that specifies what expertise is most needed to support CORE’s institutional needs (e.g., legal, fundraising) and how qualified individuals will be identified and recruited

3. No change in how Board members are approved (vote by the Membership).

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Next Steps

A report from the Strategic Retreat will be issued.

The Board and staff will begin taking action on the agreed-upon steps.

The preceding slides were presented at theCORE Group 2010 Fall Meeting

Washington, DC

To see similar presentations, please visit:www.coregroup.org/resources/meetingreports