The ACLU of Michigan has eight volunteer branches across the state: Flint Branch; Lansing Branch; Metro Detroit Branch; Northwest Branch; Oakland Branch; Southwest Branch; Washtenaw Branch; and the Western Branch.
Our volunteer branches are the lifeblood of the ACLU. Board members and volunteers are always welcome. All of our branches currently seek volunteers and most are also seeking candidates for the board, with elections to be held by mail following the April annual meetings.
In order to remain a visible, effective and efficient organization, all ACLU Branch Board members are asked to fulfill a basic set of expectations. This policy enables the work to be spread fairly among board members and makes maximum use of the wide variety of skills and experience brought to the table by board members.
Expectations of Board Members
Membership in the Organization
All board members must be dues-paying members of the ACLU and renew their memberships annually. .
Attendance at Meetings and Events
Board members are expected to regularly attend monthly business meetings and events hosted by the Branch Board.
Volunteer Commitment
In addition to board meeting attendance, members are expected to serve on one or more board committees. All board members are also asked to participate in the execution of events. The approximate time commitment requested is 4-8 hours per month, which includes the monthly board meeting.
Outreach and Visibility
Responding to what's happening in the community and bringing visibility to the work of the ACLU is one of the most important functions of the branch boards. Board members are encouraged to: stay abreast of civil liberties issues in the county and bring them to the attention of the branch board; be willing to publicly identify as an ACLU board member and take opportunities to share about the work of the state office and the branch; participate in coalitions with other community groups; act as a liaison to other organizations to which you also belong; help cultivate new board and committee member prospects; and submit "op-ed" pieces and "letters to the editor," with assistance from the state office.
Fundraising and Membership Recruitment
It is essential to the financial health of the organization that all board members assist with branch fund-raising activities as well as membership recruitment efforts for the state organization. Training and materials are provided.
What You Can Expect From the Board
Being an ACLU branch board member isn't a one-way street! You should expect to receive as much from your work as you give. In particular, you should expect:
- To do interesting and effective work on a variety of civil liberties/civil rights issues directly affecting our community;
- To be given opportunities to take a leadership role on various local issues;
- To receive fundraising and other training as necessary from branch board members and state office staff;
- That meetings are efficiently conducted, with "housekeeping" kept to a minimum;
- To receive meeting agendas and other relevant information well in advance of every board meeting.