Share your talents by joining a committee
- Plan networking events that connect those already working in the industry with those looking to get involved;
- Organize educational events to help patients and physicians learn about the Illinois cannabis program;
- Work with employers to connect job seekers with job openings;
- Raise awareness among women throughout the state about all of the opportunities that exist;
- Advocate for change to federal and state policies to increase opportunity and equity in the industry;
- And so much more.
Responsibilities of Committee Members
The responsibilities of committee members vary by committee, but usually include at a minimum the following:
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Perform assigned duties in order to accomplish the objectives of the committee
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Attend committee meetings by phone, usually monthly but can be more frequent in preparation for special events and activities
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Attend Committee events and functions, as needed
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Chair or co-chair sub-committees, as needed
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Actively promote and implement IWC’s strategic plan
Expected Time Commitment
Time commitments vary based on the scope and nature of each committee and its responsibilities. Committee members should anticipate dedicating a minimum of five hours per month to committee duties. Additional time may be required for periodic committee events, community service activities, educational programming, and networking engagements.
Qualities of a Committee Chair
Being a committee chair is an important role in our organization. With that in mind, we apply stringent standards in the search for chairpersons. The most successful applicants will be individuals who:
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Can bring a variety of skills, experience, and diversity to the organization.
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Have concern for the organization’s continued development and are willing to share new ideas for continued outreach and fundraising.
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Are willing to contribute personal and financial resources to the organization and to cultivate and solicit outside funds.
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Are prepared to set aside any potential conflict of interest between their personal or individual business to support the well-being of the organization.
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Have a well-developed sense of values and personal integrity
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Are sensitive to, and tolerant of, views and opinions different from their own
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Are friendly, fun, responsive, patient, and have a sense of humor
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Work well with both individuals and groups
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Consistently meet deadlines, work hard and keep cool under pressure
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Can listen, analyze, and think clearly and creatively
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Are willing to prepare for and attend committee meetings and other events as necessary
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Will take responsibility and follow through on assignments
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Create a positive environment
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Can recruit new committee members and volunteers
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APPLY TODAY!
Committee Chair:Applications are closed
Committee Member Applications:
Social Equity & Advocacy Committee
Meets the second Wednesday of the month, 4:30 – 5:30 PM CST via Zoom.
Currently Accepting Committee Members
Professional Development & Education Committee
Meets the third Wednesday of the month, 4:30 – 5:30 PM CST via Zoom.
Marketing & Communications Committee
Meeting schedule TBD
Currently Accepting Committee Members
Social Equity & Advocacy Committee
The Social Equity & Advocacy Committee promotes the active commitment to fairness, justice, and equity both within IWC, as well as in the Illinois cannabis industry at large.
The focus of the committee’s work in 2023 is three-pronged:
•to bring awareness to the challenges social equity licensees face accessing funding;
•to facilitate intentional conversations with key players – such as but not limited to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) (and their strategic partners); and the Cannabis Regulation and Oversight Office (CROO);
•and to collaborate with these entities to create workable and implementable solutions that remove systemic and equity-denying barriers that exist in the funding process.
Professional Development & Education Committee
The Professional Development & Education Committee works to ensure future leaders in the cannabis industry are prepared for a fluid market with ever-changing responsibilities. This committee is dedicated to improving the knowledge base, skills, abilities and confidence of current and future leaders.
This committee’s mission is to support IWC leadership with strategic planning to develop the latest accessible and robust professional learning opportunities and continuing education where individuals can gain new skills and knowledge, and increase competencies to improve their job performance or hireability.
Through equitable access to learning and training, the IWC network provides high-quality professional development and educational opportunities, specifically geared towards building skills and knowledge to work in the cannabis industry. Programs will be delivered through a variety of formats, including in-person workshops (post-Covid-19), webinars, and one-on-one mentoring activities.
Responsibilities and expectations of Committee Members:
These may vary, but minimally include the following:
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Perform assigned duties to accomplish the objectives of the committee
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Attend monthly committee meetings by phone, occasionally more frequent in preparation for special events
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Attend Committee meetings, events, and functions, as needed
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Chair or co-chair sub-committees, as needed
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Actively promote and implement IWC’s mission and goals
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Assure that the quality of the P.D. & E. programs align with the IWC brand
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Develop and coordinate the mentoring program to provide professional opportunities for career development.
Marketing & Communications Committee
The Marketing committee supports, executes, and acts as a sounding board for marketing and communication strategies and tools used by IWC leadership to increase exposure. This committee helps develop and hone innovative ideas for content and outreach, assists with general IWC messaging, as well as provide feedback on marketing activities as requested.
Fundraising & Development Committee
An effective Fundraising & Development committee is vital to the life and financial well-being of IWC. The F&D Committee goals focus on relationship building and raising revenue to meet the organization’s special or ongoing needs. The primary goal of the committee over the next 12-18 months is to develop a comprehensive Fund Development Plan that includes a mix of strategies such as an annual membership drive campaign and annual leadership awards.
Responsibilities and expectations of Committee Members:
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Develop a long-range Fund Development Plan with a mix of strategies including revenue goals and action plans
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Develop the case for philanthropic support
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Devise and recommend fund development policies, practices, and action items for the Executive Director and Board of Directors
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Monitor and track progress on the Fund Development Plan
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Problem solve to address lags in achievement of objectives and targets
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Create a process to assure that all donors are respected and recognized in a timely manner
IWC Member Experience Committee
The IWC Member Experience Committee collaborates with other committees, special interest groups, and IWC leadership to develop key strategies and best practices to deepen member engagement and ensure retention. This committee fine-tunes the recruitment process and clarifies and resolves common member needs and pain points, to provide better insight on recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Eligibility
Applicants must be age twenty-one (21) years or older and members of IWC. Length of Term All committee chair positions have a term of one (1) year. At the conclusion of a one (1) year term, an existing committee chair may be voted back for a subsequent one (1) year term on the existing committee or a different one without having to resubmit to the application process.
Applicants must be available to participate in an interview with the Executive Director and applicable Board Members, where they must demonstrate they have the skills, commitment, passion, and time to devote to the undertakings of the position in question. At the conclusion of all interviews and an appropriate amount of deliberation, the ED will nominate a candidate to fill the position. The Board will vote to confirm the candidate to the nominated position.
2023 IWC Committee Officers
Neffer-Oduntunde A. Kerr
Professional Development and Education Chair
Dr Angelyn M Anderson
Social Equity and Advocacy Chair
Angelique Zerillo
Marketing & Communications Chair
Kelly Judge Goldberg, M.Ed.
Professional Development and Education Co-Chair
Jonny Boucher
Social Equity and Advocacy Co-Chair
Illinois Women in Cannabis is a welcoming and inclusive organization hosting events that are accessible to everyone who is active in or interested in learning more about Illinois’ regulated cannabis industry. If you wish to participate in any IWC activity but are unable to due to financial challenges, please contact IWC at communications@Ilwomenincannabis.org