Friends Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri

Are you in interested in becoming more involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and not quite sure where to start? Maybe you are a "Big" who wants to do more with BBBS or perhaps someone who cares about children and would like to lend your talents, time and resources to the BBBS mission? If so, Friends of BBBS is just for you!

"Friends" - Who we are:
We are a diverse group of individuals who are dedicated to giving back to children in our community.  Our main objective is to fund raise and recruit volunteers - Big Brother and Big Sister Mentors.  We support BBBS goals of educating citizens, building healthy families and safe neighborhoods and developing a reliable and productive workforce. "Friends" is made up of resourceful individuals who have the capacity and willingness to advance the agency’s strategic plan.  We meet six times a year, bi-monthly, with mandatory attendance to four meetings.  We share a common goal to give back to our community while having fun! 

Below is the structure and role of a Friends of BBBS member:

Role #1:

"Governor": The Friends Chair serve on the agency’s Board of Directors and are required to fulfill all the standards and obligations of the Board of Directors. Friends Chair are appointed for 1 year by the Chairman of the Board.

Role #2:

"Sponsor": All Friends’ members are required to make a personal and meaningful gift to the agency, but a minimum is not required. However, each member is required to meet a minimum "give and get" fund raising goal of $1,000 or more. There are many ways to accomplish this goal, BBBS staff are here to help and on average our Friends members have no problem exceeding this minimum.  

Role #3:

"Ambassador": Friends represents the agency to the greater Eastern Missouri community and works to coordinate meetings with and make presentations to key community stakeholders. One of the greatest contributions a member can make is to “open doors” and introduce BBBS as a successful and significant organization that needs and deserves community support. All members are required to host 2 meetings per year to support fund raising and volunteer recruitment.

Role #4:

"Consultant": Friends’ have significant knowledge that should and must be shared with the CEO, Board and other key staff members. All members are expected to serve as advisors when called upon and work with staff and Board to make important and timely decisions.

 
Friends must be willing to serve on one of the following standing committees:

Executive Committee: The committee is made up of the Friends Chair and the chairs of the 3 standing committees. The EC is responsible for working with the staff to set annual goals that support the overall goals built and approved by the Board of Directors. The EC will meet at least quarterly to review progress toward goals and make changes as necessary.

Program Committee: The committee is responsible for hosting at least one event per year. Additional events may be required by the Executive Committee and annual planning goals. The chair of the committee serves on the EC of Friends.

Volunteer Recruitment Committee – The committee is responsible for hosting 2 volunteer recruitment events per year. Additional events may be required by the Executive Committee and annual planning goals. The chair of the committee serves on the EC of Friends.

Fund Raising Committee – The committee is responsible for successfully hosting at least 2 fund raising events/campaigns per year – typically one event will support the agency’s operations and the second event will support a capital/endowment need. Additional events may be required by the Executive Committee and annual planning goals. The chair of the committee serves on the EC of Friends.

Friends members will be given updates at each meeting about their attendance, fund raising and “opening doors.” Friends will evaluate itself annually.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:
Sarah Fandrey
314-361-5900