Citizen participation is an essential element and goal of SEK-CAP, Inc. That’s why we are locally managed and our volunteer Board of Directors includes low-income people as well as public officials and representatives from the private sector.   

The Board of Directors selects all of its members, except for the Policy Council Chairperson, who is elected by that council.  The Board of Directors consists of nine (9) representatives residing in Southeast Kansas and are selected as follows:  Three (3) elected public officials, holding office on the date of selection, or their representatives, except that if the number of such elected officials reasonably available and willing to serve on the Board is less than 3, appointive public officials or their representatives may take the place of elected officials; Three (3) democratically selected representatives of low-income individuals or families who reside within the twelve county SEK-CAP service area; Three (3) representatives of major private interests such as business, labor, religion, private social service, education and/or significant minority groups; the current elected Policy Council Chairperson shall serve as a voting member of the Board and occupy one of the three (3) designated low-income Board positions.

The Nominating Committee of the Board will receive nominations for membership and make recommendations for election to the full Board whenever there is a vacant seat.

Nominations to the Board for low-income Board positions may be made by active low-income groups or organizations serving the poor, Board members or staff.  Any vacancy on the Board for low-income seats will be announced to low-income groups organized within the agency, such as Head Start Center Committees and the Head Start Policy Council.  Those groups - if they choose - will, by democratic vote, select low-income individuals to nominate to the Board.  The Policy Council Chairperson automatically serves as one of three designated low-income representatives.  Nominees for low-income positions must be low-income persons (at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines) or persons who are regularly employed or volunteering in service to low-income people.

Any elected official of the Southeast Kansas area served by the agency, including State Representatives and Senators, may be recruited by the Board to fill Public Sector slots and selection criteria for all members includes:

• The prospective Board member must have expressed interest in assisting disadvantaged citizens by taking a leadership role.

• The prospective Board member must demonstrate a strong interest in community capacity building around the issues of poverty.

• The prospective Board member should have a history of accomplishment in community services.