I.A.11. MEMBER ADVOCATE

Member Advocate General Description:

The Member Advocate is the primary resource for members with administrative problems or questions with the BSC, under the supervision of the Member Resources Supervisor. The Member Advocate also assists members in resolving Central Level issues such as payment schedules, student status, and membership eligibility. The Member Advocate is obliged to attend all Administrative Committee (AdCom) meetings and act as the representative of members with cases that come before this committee, and to represent members at house- and central level termination hearings. The Member Advocate is expected to exercise a reasonable level of advocacy on behalf of the members; the member advocate for policy does not have to provide advocacy for members with unreasonable or repetitive cases.

Member Advocate Duties:

1. Publicize the Member Advocate’s services to the general membership.

a. Post fliers.

b. Make announcements at each house and apartment dinner and/or house council meetings, and at least at one meeting of the Board of Directors each semester.

c. Be willing to have a home phone made available to the general membership.

d. Attend the first Member Resources/SMUC meeting to notify house representatives of services.

2. Consult with members.

a. Hold drop-in hours every week.

b. Meet with members on a case-to-case basis.

c. Provide advice to members, including interpretations of the AdCode.

d. Provide members with all relevant BSC documents, codes, etc., at their request.

e. Be thoroughly familiar with relevant BSC documents such as the current contract, Administrative Code and Termination Policy.

f. Refer non-policy conflicts or grievances to the Member Resources Supervisor.

3. Advocate members’ concerns at all levels.

a. Negotiate on behalf of the members with Central Level managers.

b. Represent members at their house councils.

c. Assist members in preparing cases for AdCom.

d. Meet with the Operations Manager and the AdCom Chair to discuss AdCom cases.

e. Attend all AdCom meetings.

f. Represent members at AdCom and argue individual cases.

g. Represent members at AdCom in their absence.

h. Conduct appeals to the Board of Directors at the request of the members.

i. Represent the member or act as a facilitator at house level termination hearings.

4. Miscellaneous

a. Attend Board of Directors meetings as necessary.

b. Maintain a knowledge of current BSC policies.

c. Meet with the Member Resource Supervisor on a regular basis.

d. Create and maintain manuals, calendar, resource list, or any other format on a semesterly basis to provide continuity for the specific purpose of orienting the next advocate.

5. Supervision and Review

a. The Member Advocate is supervised by the Member Resources Supervisor and is accountable to the Board.

b. Between the 8th and 12th weeks of the semester, the Member Resources Supervisor will review the performance of the Member Advocate and send a written evaluation to the Board of Directors. The evaluation can contain a recommendation for a stipend or additional compensation for the Member Advocate in the event of outstanding work or an extremely heavy caseload.

c. The Board of Directors will discuss the evaluation with the Member Advocate and determine any additional compensation.

Term of position: Fall/Spring or Summer

Supervisor: Member Resources Supervisor

Hired by: Board election

Expected hours per week: 11

Compensation: Fulfills workshift requirment, rent credit stipend