Membership, Organizational
Structure, and Governance

• Top level leadership will be provided by an Executive Board, composed of high level or elected leaders from key representatives from government, corporate, school, hospital, private foundation, and non-profit communities. Executive Board members will not directly represent their individual organization. Rather, they will bring a more general, sub-regional perspective to the table.

• A Work Group, open to all EHSF members, will be responsible for developing the overall direction and work plan for the Forum, and presenting the plan to the Executive Board for approval. Based on each year's work plan, a set of priority sub-committees will be formed to implement the plan.

• A streamlined advocacy protocol has been designed to assure that member organizations can clearly choose when they do and do not want their name associated with a stance the Forum takes.

• The organizational structure will recognize the need for core, committed partners, but also allow for organizations to have the opportunity to come in and out as their interest and need dictates.

• The contribution structure will be designed to make membership possible for any organization wishing to join. For small organizations with fiscal restraints, there will be options for in-kind contributions of staff time, office space, etc. in lieu of money for membership.

• Membership will be offered to organizations that address human services or their impact in East King County that are willing to meet the defined Member responsibilities. Organizations and individuals interested in less commitment can join as a "Friend" of the Forum. The key difference between a Member and Friend will be voting rights. Both categories of membership can serve on the Work Group and priority sub-committees. However, through their vote, Member organizations will have the opportunity to help shape the Forum's direction.

Please call our Coordinator at (425) 587-3324 for additional information or to receive a membership packet.