Roles and Responsibilities
for Board Members
of the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing


The West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of has seventeen board members. Six members are persons who themselves or family members are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. Eight are ex-officio members who represent community organizations or state agencies which affect the lives of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. The remaining three are private professionals whose services impact the same population. All members of the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are appointed by the Governor.

Role of board members:

• To act as a voting member of the board with full authority and responsibility to develop policies, procedures and regulations for the operation of the Commission;

• To monitor the Commission's programs and overall performance;

• To provide the executive director with the resources to meet the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind. 

It is the Board's responsibility to:

Support the Commission's mission.

Hire and evaluate the executive director.

Create and update long and short-range plans for the Commission.

Select and support the Commission's board officers.

Provide program and policy oversight.

It is the responsibility of each Board member to:

1) Become informed about the issues and priorities of the Commission by reviewing the information provided by Commission staff and other members. 

2) Come to board meetings well-prepared and well-informed about issues on the agenda.

3) Attend and participate in all Commission Board meetings and vote on matters requiring action, except when there is a conflict of interest.

4) Participate in committee meetings, offer leadership and support, and vote on matters being referred to the Commission for action, except when there is a conflict of interest.

5) Attend all board meetings.

6) Notify the Commission when unable to attend a meeting. Ex-officio members may designate another person in their stead, should they not be able to attend.

7) Provide information to the Commission on relevant issues based on one's personal and/or professional knowledge and experience.

8) Represent the Commission to individuals, the public and other organizations.

9) Assume board leadership roles when asked.

10) Support the ongoing work of the Commission by serving on committees, making presentations and/or providing other types of assistance.

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