One Minute with the Members Council

Learn about the leadership group within Leadership Birmingham

(Above) In February, the Members Council featured Pulitzer Prize–winners Howell Raines—a former New York Times executive editor—and local journalist John Archibald. discussing Raines’s new book, their home state of Alabama, and life in journalism.

1. Leadership Birmingham includes three programs. These are the flagship Leadership Birmingham
program, Youth Leadership Forum, and the Members Association, which encompasses the 1,600+ alumni of the Leadership Birmingham program. The Members Council serves as the leadership group for the Members Association.

2. The Members Council includes one to three representatives from each past Leadership Birmingham class since 1984. Graduating classes select their initial representatives at their Closing Retreat. Representatives generally serve terms of one to three years, and they often recruit their replacements; however, nominations are always welcome. To nominate yourself or another
member of your class, contact your Members Council representative or email Libba Vaughan at libba@leadershipbirmingham.org. Find your class representatives at leadershipbirmingham.org/members-association. The full council meets three times annually.

“If we want ongoing improvement in our city, then we must stay engaged and active long after our year in Leadership Birmingham,” Lauren Roberts says. “Members Council is how we can continue to stay connected and engaged while maintaining a pulse on the most critical issues facing Birmingham.”

3. The Members Council helps make key decisions impacting alumni and incoming classes. For example, the council recommended a tuition increase for the next fiscal year and recently voted to recommend an increase in annual alumni dues—from $75 to $100—that will take effect on July 1. You also will receive the first request for dues early, starting in July—a change that will help bring in funds to support the full program year. The votes came after the council assessed the rising costs associated with the three Leadership Birmingham programs and conducted a comprehensive review of tuition and dues charged by other local and national leadership programs.

4. Three new working groups make space for more alumni voices. The Members Council created the groups last year to involve more alumni in three crucial focus areas: The communications working group generates ideas for messaging to connect Leadership Birmingham members with one another and with the broader community. The membership working group monitors the inflow of dues alongside Leadership Birmingham staff and discusses ways to encourage giving and engagement. And the programs working group brainstorms and plans events that promote networking and keep graduates informed about current community issues and challenges.

5. Who are the current leaders of the Members Council? Lauren Roberts (’16) is the Members Council president. Lindsey Tanner (’22) is council vice chair and programs subchair. Alison Grizzle (’14) is council treasurer and membership subchair. Rebecca Dobrinski (’17) is council secretary and communications subchair.