Committees

Board of Directors

The makeup of the board includes:

• Six at-large members elected by HASP membership for three-year terms on a rotating basis
• The president, vice-president, HASP director, treasurer and the chairpersons of the six standing committees are ex officio voting members while holding office
• Two persons from the Hope College faculty and staff, appointed annually by the President of Hope College, are voting members

The board meets four times a year and on special call. The board is vested with leadership in establishing policies and instituting programs "responsive to the wishes and needs of the members."

Officers and Board Members, 2023–2024

To contact an officer or board member, please reach out to the HASP office.

Permanent Committees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the HASP president, the vice-president, the treasurer, the HASP director, and the two directors elected by the membership whose terms of office will expire at the end of that year. The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of HASP between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the right of the Board of Directors to ratify or nullify Executive Committee action at the next Board of Directors meeting.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee shall be formed at the beginning of each HASP year. It shall consist of the HASP director, who shall serve as chairperson, the two directors elected by the membership whose terms expire at the end of that year, and three persons from the HASP membership appointed by the president.

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee shall review the organizational operations, personnel needs and compensation for the hired staff according to the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. The personnel committee consists of four members: the HASP president, the vice president, and the two retiring board members. The president may invite the HASP treasurer for consultation regarding budget changes.

Standing Committees

Currently six standing committees plan and direct the activities of HASP. The chairpersons are designated each year by the Executive Committee and the members are volunteers from the HASP membership. 

To contact an committee chair or member, please reach out to the HASP office.

Communications Committee

• To prepare and disseminate information about academy activities to the Hope College community and the general public
• To solicit, edit and publish literary and artistic offerings by HASP members in the HASP Review
• Communications Chair – Ralph Fairbanks

Curriculum Committee

To conceive, initiate, promote and supervise courses, and study and discussion groups which address membership interests and needs. There are four sub-committees involved in planning curriculum:

• Curriculum Chair – Judy Parr
   
• Fine Arts – Sarah Briggs and Lynne Williams
   
• Humanities – Tom Arendshorst
   
• Science, Medicine, and Technology – Susan Couch
   
• Social Sciences – Randall Miller

Membership Committee

• To help orient new members to the purposes and procedures of the academy and the privileges of membership
• To help new members become better acquainted with their academy colleagues
• Membership Chair – Doug Walvoord

Monthly Program Committee

To plan and implement programs for monthly member program meetings, assessing periodically the interests of the membership and the special capabilities of members for participating in or presenting such programs. 

• Monthly Program Chair (David Blatt)

Special Events Committee

To plan and administer special social, cultural, educational and recreational events each year, with the objective in part to further acquaintance and fellowship among members.

• Special Events Chair – Alyce Doss

Service Committee

• To identify, from the college and community sources, needs and opportunities to achieve intellectual, social and cultural growth among members of the Hope College and area communities.
• To ascertain the special competencies of academy members and their readiness to be a resource to help others, especially Hope students.
• To publicize the requests and the resources, and to facilitate converting them into actual programs of service.
• Service Chair – Beverly Rannow