Empower DC Infrastructure

Mission:

The mission of Empower D.C. is to enhance and improve the self-advocacy of low-income and working people in the District of Columbia in order to bring about sustained improvement in their quality of life. 

Makeup:

Empower DC will be made up of 2 full-time staff people (to begin with), a Steering Committee with approximately 8-16 members, internal committees on which steering committee members will serve, and issue campaigns made up of staff, members and steering committee members.

Organizing Principles:

The organizing principles that guide the work of the organization include the following:

Ø      Works with groups of people who share a common problem;

Ø      Develops leadership through training and providing leadership opportunities, i.e. the utilization of public forums;

Ø      Develops the self-confidence of leaders and potential leaders;

Ø      Encourages groups to develop action plans and implement them;

Ø      Uses the mass media to inform the larger community about issues and to gain support;

Ø      Uses confrontation when necessary as a means to force a recalcitrant target to negotiate or resolve an issue;

Ø      Leaders, rather than staff, set the agenda for the organization and carry it out.

 

STEERING COMMITTEE

What Is The Steering Committee?

The Steering Committee is composed of members who are committed to the work and mission of Empower DC and meet regularly together with staff to carry out the work of the organization.

 

The Role of The Steering Committee includes:

·         Serve as collective leadership of Empower DC along with the staff team 

·         Provide guidance to the organization in accomplishing its mission, goals and activities

·         Help set policies, define goals and decide position

·         Help carry out the goals and mission of the organization, represent the organization in coalitions and in the public and be actively involved in campaigns and activities

 

Other duties include:

·         Steering committee meeting once a month

·         active participation in at least one organizational duty

·         active participation in at least one issue based campaign

·         dedicating at least 8 hours a month to the organization, which can include time spent in meetings and may include staff support

·         participation in full membership meeting once every other month (at which time all campaigns will give reports and updates, new members become acquainted with the organization)