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Michigan Humanities Council
119 Pere Marquette, Suite 3B
Lansing, MI 48912
Phone: 517-372-7770
Fax: 517-372-0027
Email: contact [at] mihumanities.org
web: michiganhumanities.org

Board Members of Michigan Humanities Council

past board members :: board responsibilities

Christine Albertini, Grand Rapids
Anan Ameri, Detroit
Ed Bagale, Dearborn
Marlee Brown, Mackinac Island
Timothy Chester, Grand Rapids (Vice Chair)
Russell B. Collins, Ann Arbor
Amy DeWys-VanHecke, Grosse Pointe Farms
Eva Evans, Lansing
Paula Gangopadhyay, Northville
Susanne M. Janis, Traverse City
James Karshner, DeWitt
Patrick LeBeau, Lansing
Michael Margolin, Detroit
Sue Ann Martin, Mount Pleasant (Secretary)
Craig McDonald, Midland
John X. Miller, Detroit
Shaun Nethercott, Detroit (Treasurer)
Erik Nordberg, Houghton
Judy Rapanos, Midland (Chair)
Patricia Shaheen, Saginaw
Karen Smith, Traverse City
Kelvin Smyth, Escanaba
Marcia Warner, Grand Rapids

Past board members (1974-2007)

MHC Board of Directors Member Responsibilities

Council Directors are members of the Board of Directors of Michigan Humanities Council, a private, non-profit corporation organized as a public charity conducting humanities programs for the public and providing grants to other Michigan non-profit organizations for implementing public humanities programs. Terms are three years, ending on December 31. A Director may be nominated and re-elected, or reappointed by the Governor, for one successive three-year term. At least one year must elapse before an individual may be nominated for election or appointed by the Governor, after serving two consecutive terms whether by appointment or by election to a full term or to a vacancy. An individual elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his/her predecessor in office and may be nominated and re-elected, or reappointed by the Governor, for one successive three-year term.

The Council as a whole is responsible for setting policy, advocating for the humanities, fund raising, monitoring the budget, and ensuring the organization meets its legal obligations. Council members individually provide support for the execution of policy and procedures as determined by the Chairperson, and, if related to staff, by the Executive Director.

Generally, Directors should have:

• An interest in Michigan’s statewide public humanities program, and a conviction that the humanities play a vital role in shaping public life;
• The capability and willingness to contribute actively to the development of goals, missions, plans, policies, and governance of Michigan’s statewide public humanities program, to include direct involvement in such revenue-generating activities as fund raising, public, corporate, and foundation funding;
• The ability and willingness to articulate and advocate the goals and objectives of Michigan’s statewide public humanities program to current and prospective supporters of the program, to include federal and state agencies as well as private individuals, and organizations.

Specifically, Directors will:

• Attend two to three general meetings and one annual meeting of the Council, held at various locations (travel reimbursed);
• Participate in Standing Committees and/or Ad-hoc Committees, as assigned by the Council Chairperson, covering such Council business as Council advancement, planning, program activity, grants, advocacy, and operations;
• Provide occasional assistance to staff in supporting Council programs;
• Be advocates for the humanities at local, state, and national levels;
• Represent the humanities locally as a representative of the Council as needed;
• Participate in Council resource development activities as assigned by the Chairperson;
• Make an annual contribution to the Council as referenced in the Development Plan. Fiscal Year 2007 calls for an expectation of $750 “give” or “get” gift.