CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS AND INVITATION POLICY

There are 14 states officially included in the Blue Ridge Institute for Southern Community Service Executives: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. In addition, individuals who live and work outside of these 14 states, but who have a regional or national role that includes one or more of the southern states, are eligible to join.

Nomination Criteria:

All nominees must be Community Service Executives in an organization that has human services planning, development, and/or delivery functions. This Executive, by virtue of his /her position, should or could impact the human services system in a community, state, or region in the Southern United States.

The nominee must be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization or a departmental executive within a large multi-purpose organization who otherwise meets the criteria.

Each large multi-purpose organization shall be limited to one (1) additional executive other than the Chief Executive Officer.

 “Emerging Leaders” are those younger professionals (age 25-45) who are on a track to become CEO’s or high-level professionals in the community service field and do not need to meet that nomination criteria. They are initially nominated through the usual state process and identified as emerging leaders; once active members they are treated no differently than any active member.  

If the nominee is retired, they must have met the criteria above while employed.

Additional Membership Criteria:

Active members who retire, relocate to a position outside of the southern US, or move to an organization or position that no longer meets the above criteria, may remain members so long as they meet the attendance requirements.
 
Invitations:

The Membership Committee is responsible for accepting or declining to accept nominees. Invitations to attend Blue Ridge Institute may then only be extended by the Board, The Salvation Army, or the President. Nominations for New Invitees can only be made by individuals who have actually attended the Institute.