ACA Illinois - Board & Committee Application

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.

Click Here to Complete the Online Application.

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.

Learn More About Open Positions

Board of Directors
Campership Committee
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
Fundraising Committee
Government Relations Committee
Membership Committee
Standards Committee
Young Professionals Board

Campership Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Want to help children access camp experiences.
Enjoy working with community leaders and changemakers who refer campers to the Fresh Start Campership program.
Review applications and learn more about the needs of the community.
Desire to share their talents & gifts with ACA Illinois to advance the work of the Association.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly (Virtually for the 2022/2023 year).
Facilitate the campership program including the application, allocation, and distribution.
Work with community leaders in youth development to promote the opportunities of the campership program.

Great for Folks Who:

Want to help children access camp experiences.
Enjoy working with community leaders and changemakers who refer campers to the program.
Review applications and learn more about the needs of the community.
Desire to share their talents & gifts with ACA Illinois to advance the work of the Association.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly (Virtually for the 2022/2023 year).
Facilitate the campership program including the application, allocation, and distribution.
Work with community leaders in youth development to promote the opportunities of the campership program.

Apply Here

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.
Not currently employed by an organization that receives the Fresh Start funds. (This does not include the DFI Title XX program.)

Ideal Committee Size: 5-8 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:

Co-Chair
Committee Member - Community Organizing
Committee Member - Application Processing
Committee Member - Data and Outcome Collector
Committee Member

Membership Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Enjoy meeting and speaking with other camp professionals.
Are excited to invite others to join ACA Illinois and become part of the community.
Get energized while networking and helping others make connections.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly (Virtually for the 2022/2023 year).
Build community through social media, networking events, and other activities/methods to increase engagement of the ACA Illinois membership.
Advise the Board and staff on membership needs, ideas, and ways to further engage the community.

Apply Here

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.

Current Chair: Dale Adkins

Open Positions:

Co-Chair
Committee Member - Resource Researcher
Committee Member - Social Media Engager
Committee Member - Data and Numbers Tracker
Committee Member - Networking Event Organizer
Committee Member

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 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 DEI work.

This Group Will:

Meet monthly (Virtually for the 2022/2023 year).
Organize professional development and resources for camps and camp professionals around DEI.
Advise other committees, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders within ACA Illinois to encourage change in policies and practices.

Apply Here

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.

Current Chair: Shauna Guglielmo

Open Positions:

Co-Chair
Committee Member - Resource Researcher
Committee Member - Professional Development Organizer
Committee Member - Book Club Facilitator
Committee Member

Young Professionals Board

Great for Folks Who:

Are 35 years or younger as of July 1, 2022.
Are looking to develop skills and enhance their resume.
Want to network with other 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 quarterly (Virtually for the 2022/2023 year).
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, 2022.
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 Chair
Young Professionals Board Member

Standards Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Enjoy and get excited about the Accreditation process and Standards!
Want to strengthen their own understanding of the Accreditation program.
Desire to learn how other camps operate and about best practices.
Is motivated to be a resource to camps new to or struggling with the standards.
Want to help camps be great places for campers and staff.

This Committee Will:

Meet monthly (All meetings will be virtual for the 2022/2023 season.)
Coordinate the Camp Visits for Summer 2023.
Coordinate the training program; including selecting dates for training, cultivating instructors and volunteers, and encouraging members to attend.
Facilitate the Annual Accreditation Report process.
Serve as advocates for the Accreditation program.
Prepare Accreditation related reports.
Recruit volunteers to be trained and serve as Accreditation Visitors.
Motivate camp professionals to understand, learn, and promote the benefits of Accreditation.

Apply Here

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.
Basic knowledge or a willingness to learn about the Accreditation program.

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.

Current Chair: Sam Thompson

Open Positions:

Co-Chair
Committee Member - Tech Support / Room Host Virtual Courses
Committee Member - Communications Coordinator
Committee Member - Visitor Recruitment Organizer
Committee Member

Government Relations Committee

Great for Folks Who:

Want to advance the camp industry in the State of Illinois.
Enjoy meeting with and collaborating with 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.
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.

Apply Here

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 or American Camp Association, St Louis (this group is designed for Illinois camp professionals who are members of ACA.)

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

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

Current Co-Chair: Mike Selep.

Open Positions:

Committee Member - Illinois Camp Day Organizer
Committee Member - Professional Development Event Organizer
Committee Member - Legislation Monitor
Committee Member

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 the 2022/2023 year on a monthly basis.
Organize fundraising events (both large and small scale.)
Cultivate relationships with donors.
Seek grant opportunities to further the ACA Illinois mission.
Facilitate corporate sponsorship program.

Apply Here

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.
Ability to volunteer 2-6 hours a month.
No experience in fundraising necessary, the committee is willing to train new members.

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.

Current Co-Chairs: Cheryle Yallen & Cat Curry

Open Positions:

Committee Member - Event Organizer (In-Person and/or Virtual)
Committee Member - Content Creation & Editing
Committee Member - Grant Researcher
Committee Member

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 (virtually for the 2022/2023 year) 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.

Apply Here

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 President who is elected by the membership, in relationship with the Executive Director 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, 2022 through June 30, 2025.)

Current President: Cat Curry

Open Positions:

Member-At-Large (Board Member)

Mailing Address:

American Camp Association, Illinois I 5 S Wabash Ave, Suite 1406 I Chicago, IL 60603

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