Blue Ridge Continuum of Care Governing Board Member Application

Thank you for your interest in joining the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care (CVCoC) Governing Board.  Please review the information below and complete the application. All questions may be directed to Matt Crookshank at matthew.crookshank@roanokeva.gov or 540-312-8301

About the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care 

The Blue Ridge Continuum of Care envisions all persons and families in the Cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem, and the Counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke to have a permanent, safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. 

The Governing Board  

Purpose 

The purpose of the CoC Governing Board is to serve as the decision-making body of the CoC and to ensure its efficient and effective operation. The CoC Governing Board shall have the power and authority to act on behalf of the CoC, and its activities will include but not be limited to: 

  1. Overseeing the operations of the CoC. 
  2. Identifying, advocating for and supporting systemic changes, programs, and policy solutions to improve service and housing outcomes. 
  3. Set strategic priorities regarding the allocation of CoC funds that align with local and federal policies. 
  4. Review and approve the CoC Collaborative Application to include the local competition process. 
  5. Review and approve all proposed projects, both new and renewals, for CoC Collaborative Application and other CoC-based funding. 
  6. Review and approve CoC, DHCD, and ESG homeless project performance measures. 
  7. Ensure the system of care provides housing and supportive services in a manner that is consistent with best practices and the priorities of the CoC. 
  8. Review and adopt policies and procedures governing the activities of the CoC. 
  9. Collaborate with regional efforts and develop strategic community partnerships to prevent and eradicate homelessness.  
  10. Designating and operating a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The Council of Community Services is designated as the HMIS Lead Agency for the Blue Ridge CoC. 
  11. Any additional authority given by the CoC General Membership.  
  12. Continuum of Care planning – the CoC must develop a Coordinated Entry System that includes coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of homeless individuals and families. The Coordinated Entry System must meet all HUD requirements. 
  13. Planning and conducting, at least annually, a Point-in-Time Count of homeless persons within the geographic area that meets the following requirements:
    – Homeless persons who are living in a place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans must be counted as unsheltered homeless persons;
    – Persons living in emergency shelters and transitional housing projects must be counted as sheltered homeless persons;
    – Other requirements established by HUD 
  14. Members should maintain good standing and voting rights by attending no less than 50% of the previous ten meetings.   

Governing Board Composition  

The composition of the Blue Ridge CoC Governing Board is as follows and shall be limited to 21 total members:  

  • Elected Members  
  • Appointed Members (local government representatives, regional planning commission, and funded agencies) 

 Elected CoC Governing Board Members   

Nominations: Nominations for Elected positions on the Blue Ridge CoC Governing Board will be submitted for consideration to the General Membership by the Nominating Committee. The CoC Chair and Vice Chair will appoint the Nominating Committee to include the following members: 

  1. One representative of a Continuum of Care, ESG, or DHCD-funded agency  
  2. One representative of a government agency  
  3. One representative of a faith community or an unaffiliated member. 
  4. CoC Chair and/or Vice Chair 

 The CoC Lead Agency will provide staff support to the Nominating Committee. 

 Members of the Nominating Committee are not excluded from being considered for election as long as they meet all eligibility criteria. 

 Nominations for Elected Governing Board positions will be submitted to the Nominating Committee no later than May 1. The Nominating Committee shall determine the eligibility for the election of any persons wishing to serve on the Governing Board. It shall submit the slate of nominees to the General Membership for consideration and voting in May for all eligible members for the respective positions.   

The following are considered Elected Governing Board Positions:  

  1. Representative of Faith-Based Organizations 
  2. Community stakeholders 
  3. Non-funded CoC Members 
  4. Formerly homeless individual  

Eligibility: Members of the CoC General Membership who are employees of the funded agencies or public entities already represented on the CoC Governing Board are ineligible for nomination to membership on the CoC Governing Board. 

Voting: Members of the CoC General Membership in good standing will vote for representatives to serve on the CoC Governing Board as presented by the Nominating Committee at the annual meeting in May, or as needed to fill vacant terms or add representatives. Candidates will be elected to the Board based on a majority vote of General Members. All general members will have one vote for each open seat.  

Terms: Terms will begin on July 1 for a three-year term. Elected members may serve no more than two (2) consecutive, three-year terms. A restriction on membership of the Governing Board applies to individuals, not agencies. Board terms may be waived in extenuating circumstances by a two-thirds vote of the CoC General Membership. 

Vacant Terms: A representative filling a vacant term shall not have that term count against their limit. 

Appointed CoC Governing Board Members 

City/County Representatives: Appointed Governing Board Members will be appointed by their City Manager/County Administrator. Appointed members (7) shall represent:  Cities of Covington, Roanoke, Salem and the Counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke, Virginia.  

Terms: Appointed Governing Board Members are not subject to term limits.  

Funded Agencies  

Funded Agency Representatives: Funded agencies shall be appointed by the CoC Governing Board (representative chosen by Executive Director of funded organization).   

Eligibility: Current recipient of CoC, ESG, or DHCD funding. 

Terms: Funded agencies are not subject to term limits, as long as they are receiving CoC, ESG, or DHCD 

funding. 

Persons with Lived Experience    

Nominations: Persons with lived experience will be nominated by CoC General Membership service providers. 

Eligibility: A former or current recipient of homeless services.  

Terms: Persons with lived experience may serve no more than two (2) consecutive, three -year terms. Board terms may be waived in extenuating circumstances by a two-thirds vote of the CoC General Membership. 

Meeting Schedule 

Regular meetings of the Board are held monthly on the 2nd Friday of every month from 9:00am – 10:00am.  

Governing Board Officers 

Nominations: Members of the CoC Governing Board will submit nominations for election of officer positions at the July Governing Board Meeting.   

Eligibility: All members in good standing of the CoC Governing Board are eligible for nomination as an officer except as excluded in these bylaws. Any member nominated for an officer position must first serve a minimum of one year in good standing on the CoC Governing Board. Board members representing funded agencies are not eligible to serve as Officers. 

Voting: At the July meeting each year, the CoC Governing Board will elect officers from the eligible voting membership. 

Terms: Terms will begin on July 1 of each year. Officers are elected for a two-year term and may serve no more than two consecutive terms in any one officer position. 

Vacant Terms: A representative who fills a vacant term shall not have that term count against their limit. 

Officer Titles and Duties:  

Chair 

  1. Preside at all CoC Governing Board meetings,  
  2. Set meeting agendas with CoC Lead Agency staff  
  3. Execute all papers, documents and instruments ordered to be executed by the Partnership. 
  4. Approve all special meetings of the CoC Governing Board. 
  5. Perform all other such duties pertaining to the office of the Chair as determined by the CoC Governing Board

Vice Chair

  1. Preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair and serve as otherwise needed in the absence of the Chair. 
  2. Assume the Chair position upon completion of the current Chair’s term.  
  3. Perform all other such duties pertaining to the office of the Vice Chair as determined by the CoC Governing Board. 
  4. Support the Chair in carrying out duties. 

 Conflicts of Interest: 

Prospective CoC Board Members should be prepared to sign a Conflict of Interest acknowledgement form if they are appointed to the CoC Board. This form will include the following information: 

  • CoC Board Members with actual or perceived conflicts of interest must identify them as they arise.  
  • Individuals with a conflict of interest may participate in all discussion but shall recuse themselves from voting on any issue in which there may be a conflict of interest.  
  • No Member of the CoC Board shall vote upon any matter which shall have direct financial bearing on the organization that the Member represents or sits as a Board Member for the organization. This includes all decisions with respect to funding, awarding contracts, and implementing corrective actions as a result from CoC Collaborative Applicant’s monitoring activities.  
  • Board Members whose agencies/organizations are applying for grant funding shall not lobby or seek information from any other Member of the Continuum if such action would create a conflict or the appearance of a conflict. 

Each individual Board Member possesses skills and knowledge that makes his or her contribution to the organization unique. With the realization that some Board Members may have conflicts that will not allow them to fulfill some of the responsibilities outlined above, expectations will be adjusted accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns about signing a Conflict of Interest acknowledgment form, please contact the Chair of the Nominating Committee to obtain further information or to discuss your concerns before submitting your application. 

Blue Ridge Continuum of Care Board Member Application

Name(Required)
CoC Board Members spend an average of 5-10 hours per month on CoC-related activities. Do you perceive there being any potential conflicts with the time commitment (including monthly Board meetings as described in the Application Packet)?(Required)
Do you believe your appointment to the CoC Board would result in any conflicts of interest either for the CoC, your organization, or an organization you are affiliated with?(Required)

Additional questions

The following questions are option and required for state and federal funding reports and applications. All responses will be kept confidential and only shared with CoC Board. For state and federal funding reports and applications, the CoC requests the following information:
Do you have lived experience with homelessness?
What is your gender? You can select one or more genders.
What is your race and ethnicity? You can select one or more races.