A Leadership Committee governs PCN and oversees its ongoing development and program work. Once the Progressive Communicators Network’s 501c3 / non-profit status is approved, the Leadership Council will also serve as our legal Board of Directors.

The Leadership Council (LC) captures and synthesizes the collective thinking of PCN members and uses it to: refine the strategic direction of the Network; create new initiatives as needs arise; oversee the work of PCN committees; and supervise PCN staff. Members of the Leadership Council also serve on PCN committee and serve as liaisons between these committees and the LC.

Responsibilities: Members of the Leadership Council should anticipate the following work load throughout the duration of their service:

• participate on Leadership Council conference calls (most months)
• attend at least one Leadership Council retreat each year (usually in November)
• attend PCN national annual gatherings during term of service
• communicate with other PCN members
• participate as Leadership Committee liaison to a PCN committee/work group possibly
• interface with funders (as needed and assigned)

Eligibility: The Leadership Council should be comprised of PCN members who have demonstrated a commitment to the Network, its goals and values by attending at least one national Gathering, serving on a PCN committee, and/or coordinating a PCN project.

Size: The Leadership Council will be comprised of between six (6) and eight (8) PCN members and up to two (2) Spirit in Action staff persons. (These numbers can increase if agreed upon by the Council.) The composition of the LC will reflect PCN’s commitment to professional, geographic, and social identity diversity (including at least 50% representation from people of color of various ethnic backgrounds, a spectrum of generations, and representation from regions across the country).

Tenure: Commencing at the June 2004 Gathering, Leadership Council members shall serve for a term of three years, with one-third of the committee rotating off every year. 

Selection: The Leadership Council will be selected and affirmed by the full PCN body at annual national Gatherings. Members attending the national Gatherings may nominate themselves or others for service.

Criteria for Leadership Council as a Whole Group

The Council will identify a group of people that meet the following criteria. Not all individuals will meet each criterion, but as a group there will be skills and qualities in all areas.

• Commitment to Network / Past and Current Service on Committees and Projects
• Experience w/ PCN Mission Focus: Strategic Communication, Grassroots Groups, and Movement Building
• Experience with PCN Program: Framing & Messaging, Skills Building, and Collaboration
• Interest and Skills in Building Networks and Organizations Useful Network of Connections /
• PCN Ambassador / Part of Key Strategic Communication Organization
• Fundraising Experience, Interest, and/or Availability
• Balance of Understanding their Region & National Picture (… and beyond)

Annually and when new members are needed, the current Leadership Council members examine their current diversity and also develop diversity criteria for that year or period.