What is the SSA Advisory Board?

The Advisory Board to the Secular Student Alliance is a multi-faceted, multi-functional body of representatives from various fields of expertise, recognized and valued as distinguished contributors to the secular movement. Advisory Board Members are invited to participate in a very dynamic student organization by offering their support, guidance, and experience to the Secular Student Alliance.

The Advisory Board is different from the Board of Directors who actually govern the SSA and are elected by its membership. 

The SSA Advisory Board is divided into the following main areas:

• General Advisory Board
• Academic Advisory Board

The tiers are independent from one another and serve separate functions and purposes. Together they serve the main objective of the SSA Advisory Board to help improve the quality of programming and the overall success of the Secular Student Alliance. The Advisory Board works with student members in helping to set the course of the student movement, and the secular community at large.

The SSA Advisory Board is connected to the SSA via the Advisory Board liaison.  This is presently Hemant Mehta, the chair of our Board of Directors.

How is the Advisory Board Governed?

Advisory Board members are voted in and out by the Secular Student Alliance Board of Directors . Their length of term is indefinite. Advisory Board Members have no voting power and cannot speak on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance without approval from the SSA Board of Directors.

The structure and governance of each Advisory Board category will be minimal. All outlets and possibilities for joint discussion will be explored but primarily Advisory Board members will be approached independently through regular correspondence channels. Whenever possible, Advisory Board meetings will be held alongside student conferences and informal discussion will be organized at events and conventions throughout the year.

What are the criteria for selecting an Advisory Board Member?

Depending on the category the potential Advisory Board member is interested in several criteria may be used in the election decision-making process. Primarily we hope to elect Advisory Board members that will work with us in the best interest of the student movement and secular community at large. Other criteria may include experience and knowledge of the area in question, interest and enthusiasm about the SSA and the goals it hopes to accomplish, and an ability to devote a minimal amount of time and effort to an Advisory Board position.

What Does an Advisory Board Member do?

Please refer to the specific Advisory Board category for an overview of function and purpose. We hope to develop this list further in the first two years of development. We are also working on a variety of programs and projects that Advisors have the option of participating in:

• Conference Participation
• Speaker Series / Debate Circuit

How does an individual become an Advisory Board Member?

To nominate yourself or others to the SSA Advisory Board please contact Hemant Mehta