Community Strategy Team
The Community Strategy Team (CST) is composed of parents, early childhood champions, and community advocates whose key role is to work together with the Whole Communities-Whole Health (WCWH) team in providing feedback and guidance on WCWH questions, research strategies, and development of technology. The CST helps to raise awareness, nurture and support the project in their communities. Its members are individuals who are particularly knowledgeable about early childhood, passionate about community work, and well connected within their community.
The purpose of this document is to help you become familiar with the structure of the group, the functions it serves and roles of members in this advisory body. CST members, in collaboration with the Community Engagement Specialist, created this document and have kept it updated to reflect the current circumstances. The CST will review this document on an annual basis to ensure it continues to reflect the evolution of the work of this committee and the WCWH Bridging Barriers grand challenge.
A list of current Community Strategy Team members can be found on the WCWH Team website.
Role of the Community Strategy Team: On-Going Guidance and Collaboration
The CST is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the project; rather it serves as a sounding board for WCWH as it conceptualizes its cohort study. Not only do CST members provide WCWH with valuable information and advice, but they also are instrumental in identifying existing work in the community and contribute a historical perspective about the community. CST members help find the issues and concerns within the community, as well as voice their thoughts and perspectives in the development of research steps. Subsequently, we hope CST members are willing to promote WCWH and related research projects within their community and networks.
Community Strategy Team Membership
Members & Terms
Compensation
Member Selection Process
Once a year, during the summer, the TOC invites nominations for CST candidates. Community members and members of any WCWH team may nominate individuals who meet the qualification criteria stated in the call for nominations. Individuals who meet the criteria may also nominate themselves as well. The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) reviews nominations and invites competitive candidates to apply. After submitting the short survey application, selected finalists receive an invitation for a phone interview. A sub-committee of at least 1 CST member, 1 TOC member, and the CES review interviewees’ applications, interview summaries and reach consensus on which candidates will be invited to join the CST.
CST Co-Chair
Co-Chair Role & Requirements
Starting Sept. 1, 2023, the CST will have one position for a CST Co-Chair, who will work with the WCWH Community Engagement Specialist to plan and facilitate meetings, provide support for CST members, and act as a leader for CST members. They are expected to attend all CST meetings and WCWH Steering Team meetings, barring unforeseen circumstances.
The CST Co-Chair should have served at least two years as a CST member, with preference for those who have also participated in a WCWH workgroup.
Co-Chair Term
The CST Co-Chair will serve a term of two years at a time.
Co-Chair Compensation & Time Commitment
The CST Co-Chair will be paid $75/hour for their time. CST Co-Chair will work up to 96 hours per term year (Sept-Aug) and must not exceed that without approval. Work outside of meetings, or in excess of 96 hours per year, will be mutually agreed upon by the CST facilitator and CST Co-chair.
Co-Chair Selection Process
The Community Strategy Team selects a CST Co-Chair every two years. The selection process takes place in the last quarter before the term year starts (June-Aug). CST members are first asked to nominate eligible candidates for the Co-chair position. Nominated candidates are asked to accept or decline the nomination. To select the position, CST members will meet and follow the selection process, outlined in the Co-Chair Selection Process document, to come to consensus on who the co-chair will be. The TOC will give final approval of the selection.
Time Commitment
Meetings
The WCWH Community Engagement Specialist (CES) facilitates the CST meetings and all correspondence between the CST and the research teams.
Attendance Policy
CST Activities
We require that CST members invest 2-5 hours a month, including the 2-hour monthly meeting, for additional activities related to the project. CST members should communicate clearly with the CES about their availability and ability to assist on projects and complete work outside of meetings.
Examples of CST activities
How the Community Strategy Team Operates
Goals and Measurable Outcomes
The CST will work towards goals as identified by WCWH, and as agreed upon by the CST.
Decision Making
The CST functions in a collaborative manner. If a decision needs to be made, the CST works to reach a consensus or modified consensus on the issue. Two thirds of the members should be present for a consensus or modified consensus to be reached.
Meeting Agreements
Communications