Gubernatorial Appointment & Nomination Form

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

The West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (WVCDHH or Commission) is a seventeen (17) member board, with nine (9) voting members appointed by the Governor, and eight (8) ex-officio members representing community organizations or state agencies that affect the lives of person who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind.

The Commission meets at least quarterly, generally in Charleston, WV. Reimbursement is provided for reasonable and necessary expenses for attending council meetings. A term of appointment is three years and council members may not serve more than two full, consecutive terms.

WVCDHH Mission

"To serve as a communication bridge between hearing persons and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. WVCDHH works towards an environment in which Deaf and Hard-of- Hearing West Virginians of all ages have equal opportunity to participate fully as active, responsible, productive and independent citizens."

It is the role of each council member 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;

Provide the Executive Director with resource to meet the needs of person 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:

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

Come to Board meetings well-prepared and well-informed about issues on the agenda.

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

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

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.

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

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

Assume Board leadership roles when asked.

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

The Commission supports the participation of its members by ensuring that Commission meetings and activities are fully accessible and providing accommodations to Commission members with disabilities upon request.