Saturday,
October 23rd, 2010

Windham High School,
Windham, NH

NH TechFest Advisory Board

An effective Advisory Board is critical to the success of the New Hampshire TechFest. Having an independent body of recognized STEM experts, science and engineering professionals, teachers, parents, and other interested and respected community leaders is key to building a successful, ongoing program.

One of our goals for the Advisory Board is that it should play an important public relations role, as well as provide the Steeering Committee and other program staff with a fresh perspective on STEM issues. Cultivating contacts who are involved in the latest and greatest technological endeavors will help to keep the NH TechFest program exciting and relevant. In addition, we anticipate that the Advisory Board will increase NH TechFest's potential to broaden our funding through contacts for in-kind resources, as well as direct financial support.

Each NH TechFest Advisory Board member will bring something unique to the program. Some members will take responsibility for specific tasks. Other members will not be able to accept specific responsibilities, but will provide valuable input at planning and program evaluation meetings. Others may not be able to attend many meetings, but will have a wide range of valuable contacts, or will carry out a specific function independently. Some Board members may not be able to attend meetings or take any specific responsibilities, yet their support, even if in name only, may be important because it lends credibility to our project.

Advisory Board Responsibilities

  • Program Creation, Planning, and Evaluation - Board members will provide advice concerning the design and plans for the program on an ongoing basis. It is expected that this will come primarily in the form of individual communications with the Chair and/or members of the Steering Committee. There will, however, be at least two formal Advisory Board meetings held each year - one in early June, to actively start planning for the next TechFest event in November, and one in January, to evaluate the success of the previous year's event.
  • Development of Program Policy - Pulling from knowledge gained in their own work and planning experiences, Advisory Board members will help create policies that provide direction and support for the Steering Committee and program staff.
  • Planning and Implementing Public Relations - An Advisory Board that includes influential professional and community leaders, marketing specialists, and parent advocates will be most effective at spreading the word about NH Techfest's programs and goals.
  • Funding Leadership - The Advisory Board will be granted the authority to directly raise funds in support of NH Techfest. The selection of Board members who are strongly committed to the goals of NH TechFest and who have the influence to leverage a variety of funding resources will be most critical in carrying out this responsibility.
  • Subcommittees - The Advisory Board may develop subcommittees which have assigned tasks in specific areas. Subcommittees may be short-lived according to a specific assignment, or ongoing.