ACA Illinois - Board & Committee Application

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Accepting Applications for Board & Committee Members

The American Camp Association, Illinois is a membership and volunteer-driven organization. As a small organization, we thrive and move forward because of the collaboration of committed & active volunteers, members, and staff. The volunteers and staff of ACA Illinois partner each year to make a truly transformative impact on our state, camps, and the world. Annually, this group of remarkable individuals:

Lead our organization to send over 4,000 economically disadvantaged young people to camp through our DFI Title XX Camping Services Program.
Step-up to respond to the needs of camps and the community during times of adversity and crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Raise funds to provide young people who need extra support services with camperships and camp experiences.
Facilitate the national Accreditation program to ensure that our member camps have the most up-to-date resources and tools to meet the industry's professional standards for best practices in facilitating camps.
Provide our members with a robust catalog of events, networking groups, and training opportunities at subsidized rates.
Strengthen relationships with our local and state public officials to ensure camp has a seat at the table.

Take Action

to Help Us Reach Our Greatest Potential as a Camp Community.

People with your unique skills, ideas, experiences, and perspectives are needed to transform the lives of young people. During this pandemic, it has become even more essential that we all work together to advance the camp industry in our state.

If you have been positively impacted by the work of ACA Illinois, camp, or care deeply for our mission we encourage you to consider applying for one of our committees or boards. Each committee and board has a different focus, set of goals, commitment level, and requirements; however each is a critical part of keeping our organization running. Together we can positively impact the lives of young people, the greater camp community, and ACA Illinois.

Sustain our mission by volunteering with us today, and experience the professional and personal benefits including:

Access to exclusive networking opportunities with other professionals in the field;
Continue discovering best practices and innovations;
Strengthen your current professional skills while building upon new skills and experiences to further enhance your resume;
Elevate your camp's image and exposure;
Make new friends with awesome people who have similar values, and want to make this world a better place; and
Be part of an organization that is renowned world-wide for being innovative, progressive, and committed to putting people first.

Join Us

and Be Part of This Exceptional Group of Industry Leaders.

No matter your experience and skills, we are confident there is a place for everyone who is committed to being an active part of advancing the work of ACA Illinois.

Upcoming Information Sessions about Volunteer Opportunities

America/Chicago
Volunteering for ACA Illinois: The Quick FAQ about What to Expect and How to Volunteer for ACA Illinois

Tuesday, February 04, 2025 2:00 PM

Online
America/Chicago
Volunteering for ACA Illinois: The Quick FAQ about What to Expect and How to Volunteer for ACA Illinois

Friday, February 28, 2025 10:30 AM

Online

Questions about the application? Not sure which committee to apply for? Want to learn more? Email Colette at colette@acail.org and she'll connect you with the committee & board leaders that can best answer your questions.

Application deadline is March 15, 2025.

Click Here to Complete the Online Application.

Learn More About Open Positions

Accreditation Committee: Supporting Camps through Accreditation
Accreditation Committee: Visitor Crew
Board of Directors
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Justice & Anti Racism Committee
Fundraising Committee
Government Relations
Young Professionals Board

Accreditation Committee: Supporting Camps through Accreditation

Great for Folks Who:

That have a desire to support new and returning camp professionals through the Accreditation Process.
Enjoy mentoring others.
Have an interest in curriculum design and creative training resources.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly. (Virtually.)
Work with the camps in ACA Illinois to provide mentoring and feedback as they navigate the Accreditation Process (both during visit and non visit years.)
Work directly with camps and directors going through the visit process for the first time.
Honor the Accredited ACA Illinois camps at the annual Celebrate ACA Illinois.
Advise the ACA Illinois Board of Directors of the needs and experiences of Accredited Camps in ACA Illinois.

Requirements to Join this Committee:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Current member or willingness to become a member of the American Camp Association, Illinois.
Experience with ACA Accreditation and ACA Illinois for at least one year.

Ideal Committee Size: 4-6 volunteers.

Committee Leader: This committee is led by a Committee Chair.

Open Positions:

Committee Chair
Committee Members

Accreditation Committee: Visitor Crew

Great for Folks Who:

That have a desire to support the Visitors of the ACA Illinois Visitor Crew.
Enjoy mentoring others.
Have an interest in curriculum design and creative training resources.

This Group Will:

Meets monthly during the buisness day. (
Work with Visitors to address areas of needed improvement and celebration on all levels including surveying the Visitors and camps for feedback, presenting ideas for continued improvement, and mentoring newer Lead and Associate Visitors.
Honor the Visitor Crew at the annual Celebrate ACA Illinois.
Advise the ACA Illinois Board of Directors of the needs and experiences of Visitors in ACA Illinois.

Requirements to Join this Committee:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Current member or willingness to become a member of the American Camp Association, Illinois.
Experience as a Visitor in ACA Illinois for at least one year.

Ideal Committee Size: 4-6 volunteers.

Committee Leader: This committee is led by a Committee Chair.

Open Positions:

Committee Chair
Committee Members

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Justice & Anti Racism (DEIAJ-AR) Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Desire for the camp community and ACA Illinois to be more inclusive and welcoming.
Are interested in learning more about anti-racism and bias in the workplace, camp, and the community.
Are ready to be an active changemaker within the camp community around DEIAJ-AR work.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly virtually during the business day.
Organize professional development and resources for camps and camp professionals around DEIAJ-AR.
Advise other committees, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders within ACA Illinois to encourage change in policies and practices.

Requirements to Join this Committee:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Current member or willingness to become a member of the American Camp Association, Illinois.

Ideal Committee Size: 6-10 volunteers and 1-2 staff liaisons.

Committee Leader: This committee is led by a Board Member appointed by the President of the Board. This is a Board Committee that works closely with the staff team.

Open Positions:

Committee Members

Government Relations Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Want to advance the camp industry in the State of Illinois and the Midwest.
Enjoy meeting with and collaborating with federal, state, and local officials as a representative of ACA Illinois.
Is driven by learning more about government relations.
Desire to leverage networks and contacts to advance the camp industry.

This Committee Will:

Strengthen the relationship between local, state, and federal representatives and the camp community.
Meets 5-6 times a year, virtually, sometimes in person.
Review new laws and/or bills that could impact camps.
Monitor the news for reports that could impact public policy and camps.
Develop relationship and advocacy campaigns to promote the benefits of the camp experience and industry within the state of Illinois.
Serve as a resource to government agencies/offices.
Educate, encourage, and motivate involvement from the camp community on government relations topics.
Work alongside National Governments Relations Committee on federal matters.

Requirements to Join this Committee:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Current member or willingness to become a member of the American Camp Association, Illinois.

Ideal Committee Size: 6-10 volunteers..

Committee Leadership: This is a board committee. The Board appoints the committee's leader(s.)

Open Positions:

Committee Members

Young Professionals Board

Great for Folks Who:

Are 35 years or younger as of July 1, 2025.
Are looking to develop skills and enhance their resume.
Want to network and support other young professionals.
Would like to develop experience serving on a Board.
Desire to share their talents & gifts with ACA Illinois to advance the work of the Association.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly. (Virtually.)
Fundraise and organize events and networking experiences for young professionals - both in-person and virtual.
Advance the work and mission of ACA Illinois.
Develop executive and board skills.

Apply Here

Requirements to Join this Group:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Must be 35 years of age or younger as of July 1, 2025.
Current member or willing to become a member of the American Camp Association.
Those interested in leadership roles for the Young Professionals Board must be current ACA Illinois members or willing to become an ACA Illinois member.

Committee Leader: This group is led by a Board appointed leader(s) and works closely with the staff and ACA Illinois Board of Directors.

Open Positions:

Young Professionals Board Members

Fundraising Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Believe in the mission of ACA Illinois and want to help secure its future through raising needed funds.
Have a goal to develop and/or strengthen skills in fundraising.
Are willing to leverage and build relationships with current and potential donors.
Enjoy sharing the life changing work of camp and ACA Illinois with the public.

This Committee Will:

Work together to raise funds that will allow ACA Illinois to implement its goals and reach its mission.
Meet virtually during during the business day.
Organize fundraising events (could be in person, digital, etc.)
Cultivate relationships with donors.
Seek grant opportunities to further the ACA Illinois mission.

Requirements to Join this Committee:

Dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Must be a current member or willingness to become a member of ACA Illinois.

Ideal Committee Size: 6-10 volunteers that work closely with ACA Illinois staff.

Committee Leaders: This committee's chair is appointed by the Board of Directors.

Open Positions:

Committee Members

Board of Directors

Great for Folks Who:

Are committed to being an active member, roll up their sleeves, and work with a dynamic groups of professionals to advance the work of ACA Illinois.
Are interested in sharing their talents and gifts in finances, event planning, fundraising, human resources, membership recruitment, and more with the ACA Illinois community.
Desire to learn a new skill such as financial management, fundraising, membership recruitment, and more.
Get excited at the idea of leading the camp industry.
Want to give back to the camp community and ACA Illinois.

The Board of Directors Will:

Meet monthly in the evenings.
Work with the ACA Illinois staff, to set and evaluate the annual goals of the organization.
Work with members, volunteers, and the community to advance the work of the Association.
Oversee the Fiscal Management and Finances of the organization.
Set policies for the organization.
Lead and serve on committees of the Board of Directors.

Each Board Member Will:

Be dedicated to creating a more equitable, diverse, and welcoming Association.
Commit to advancing opportunities for economically disadvantaged children through the camp experience.
Volunteer an average of 6-15 hours monthly, year-round.
Attend more than 90% of the scheduled monthly meetings.
Provide a financial contribution to the general operating fund on an annual basis.
Actively participate in fundraising efforts.
Be a current or be willing to become a current member of ACA Illinois.
Not be employed or subcontracted by ACA Illinois.
Participate on 2-3 committees of ACA Illinois.
Serve as a current Standards Visitor, Instructor, and/or Serves on the Standards Committee. (Can be trained during the first year of their first term.)

The leadership of the Board: The Board is led by the Board Chair who is elected by the membership, in relationship with the CEO who is hired by the Board of Directors.

Nomination Process: Members of the Board of Directors are chosen for a single slate by the member-elected Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee considers nominations for all qualified applicants.

Term: 3 Years (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.)

Open Positions:

Member-At-Large (Board Member) - Multiple openings.

Mailing Address:

American Camp Association, Illinois I PO Box 5412, Evanston, IL 60204

Mailing Address:

American Camp Association, Illinois

5 S Wabash Ave

Suite 1406

Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312-332-0833

Email: info@acail.org

Website: acail.org