EJAM will strive to be transparent and accountable in its operations and program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Board leadership will be shared. Work plans will be established for EJAM staff, consultants, interns and volunteers. Opportunities for staff and board development, particularly in the area of non-profit management and sustainable development will be offered. As we build our base, the community will have an increasing role in determining the focus and direction of EJAM’s work and in monitoring and evaluating that work. Steps will be taken to ensure that collaboration with other organizations support the vision, mission, and program focus of EJAM.

Operational and Program Accountability

Assessment of organizational related policies and procedures, financial management, fundraising, and external relations will be ongoing. An annual board meeting will provide an opportunity to more formally assess organizational management and sustainability. Various committees comprised of EJAM board directors, staff and friends of the organization will be formed to develop organizational policies and procedures, plan for organizational sustainability, and programs. Several committees have been identified and have established thus far:

• Strategic Planning Committee
• Finance Committee
• Fundraising Committee
• External Relations (website and branding)
• Environmental Justice Policy Committee
• Green Jobs Working Group

Year round monitoring of programs and projects by board, staff and volunteers will be implemented. Progress reports from lead program/project staff will be submitted prior to each regular Board of Directors meeting. An internal evaluation of programs will be conducted on an annual basis. Each program will have a board director that will be responsible for initiating and summarizing program evaluations.

Our community organizing/base-building efforts will set the priorities and focus of our work. Programs and projects will be driven by the community. The community will have a central role in evaluating progress and impact of EJAM programs and projects.

Board accountability

EJAM is a small organization in a critical stage of growth. An active, working board is essential to the success of EJAM programs and organizational sustainability over the next three years. In order to foster an engaged and energized participation Board leadership will be shared. As example, responsibility for Chair and Vice Chair will be shared among a three-person leadership team. Each director will be required to sit on at least one committee and be available to speak at least once a year on behalf of the organization.

External relations and conflict of interest policies will be developed and approved. Directors will be responsible for adhering to these policies and for knowing the vision, mission, core values, program focus, and key messaging of the organization.

In keeping with our emphasis on intergenerational work we will seek participation of young people on the EJAM Board of Directors. In year three of the strategic plan, at least two young people aged 16-24 will be recruited to serve as Board of Directors.

Supervision of EJAM staff, consultants, interns and volunteers

The EJAM Board of Directors will ensure accountability of its staff, consultants, interns and volunteers through ongoing monitoring. EJAM will provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth of its staff and consultants.

Detailed work plans that outline EJAM objectives, outcomes, activities and time estimates for each activity will be crafted for all staff, consultants and volunteers. It will be the responsibility of the Executive Director to monitor progress toward each work plan on an ongoing basis. A time allocation worksheet will be developed and submitted by all staff and consultants documenting how their time is spent on a monthly basis. Each consultant and staff will also be responsible for submitting a written narrative of their progress in meeting work plan objectives, outcomes and activities as well as networking activities. Board leadership team will be responsible for an annual assessment of the performance of each staff member, consultant and volunteers. Staff and consultants will submit a self-evaluation as part of this process.

Collaboration

To ensure that EJAM collaboration with other organizations support the organization’s vision, mission, and program focus, memorandums of agreement between EJAM and its partner organizations detailing the responsibilities and deliverables of each organization will be executed. Memorandums of agreement will be drafted and approved by the leadership team in consultation with the Executive Director.

Strategic Plan

EJAM’s strategic plan and strategic workplan will be reviewed a revised as needed on an annual basis. The strategic planning committee will lead this review process, seeking input from the full Board of Directors and making any recommendations for changes prior to the Annual Board Meeting each year.