Call for Volunteers: Apply to Become a KnoCo Chair

KnoCo Chair Responsibilities

Chairs play a critical role in keeping their groups engaged and active through events or larger programming and by ensuring that the excellent work of the Knowledge Communities is being communicated to BSA members and the public. The responsibilities include:

• Organize educational and/or networking sessions around your KnoCo topic

• Invite and coordinate with speakers, partners, and other key event supporters

• Promote KnoCo events and BSA membership through your network

• Advance the BSA mission and vision through KnoCo events

• Participate in at least three of the four annual KnoCo Chair Roundtables

• Complete annual reporting requirements, including periodic check-ins and status updates with the Program Manager

Becoming a KnoCo chair requires a strong commitment to personal and professional advancement, and is an opportunity to volunteer for a leadership position within the industry. On average, chairs commit five hours per month (including hosting meetings and events) to their group.

KnoCo Open Chair Positions

Calls for submissions are currently closed and will reopen in the Fall of 2025.

Selection Process

After submissions close for the call for volunteers, applicants will be screened and selected by the relevant outgoing or current BSA KnoCo Chair(s). Criteria for selection will include:

• Current level of participation in the KnoCo,
• Expertise or specialized knowledge they can contribute to the group,
• BSA member status,
  

• Or any other information that may make them a strong candidate.

The selected chairs will be notified by early December 2024, and the onboarding process will take place from December 2024 - February 2025.

FAQs

How much time will being a Chair take out of my schedule?

BSA Knowledge Community Chairs can expect to commit around 5 hours a month to their groups -- some groups will be more active, and some less, but a general rule of thumb is each group will have one meeting per month, with each meeting being 1-2 hours. In addition to planning these meetings (approximately 1-2 hours per month), there are quarterly Knowledge Community Roundtables, where you will meet with the other group Chairs, for approximately two hours every three months.

What is the BSA's role with the Knowledge Communities?

The BSA provides direct support to the Knowledge Communities by a dedicated staff member who helps organize and coordinate meeting logistics (i.e., creating virtual meeting links, handling registrations, helping with promotion, providing meeting space at the BSA Space) and who provides guidance on procedures, best practices, and inter-group collaboration.

Do I need to be a BSA member?

At least one chair of any active Knowledge Community needs to be a member of the BSA. We encourage you to apply for consideration regardless of your membership status.

Is there a term limit to being a Chair?

Each Knowledge Community Chair is committed to being a chair for at least one year, with a "soft" term limit of three years -- after three years of serving as a chair, the BSA will issue a call for volunteers who are interested in chairing the Knowledge Community. If no volunteers step forward, the incumbent KnoCo Chair(s) can continue to chair the group for another year, until the next call for volunteers.

Are there professional requirements or prerequisites to being a chair?

While there are no outright professional prerequisites to becoming a KnoCo chair, other than at least one active chair being a BSA member, we ask that those who are interested in becoming a chair have professional experience in the field of the group they are chairing. Certain groups may have further requirements for becoming chair, but as a general rule, we ask that potential chairs have been engaged with their group for at least one year, have a strong professional network that they can rely on for finding event speakers and coordinators, as well as promoting their events to their colleagues.

How can I apply?

Applications are currently closed and will reopen in the Fall of 2025. Applicants can either self-nominate, or nominate another person in their network who they believe will be a good fit for a KnoCo Chair position. Please email [email protected] with any questions.