What Are the Duties of an Honorary Chair?

When a nonprofit organization hosts a fundraising campaign or event, it will often appoint an honorary chair to serve as the spokesperson of that event. Honorary chairs serve varying duties depending on the organization they represent.

Description

In most cases, the honorary chair of an event is a local or national celebrity who serves as the face and public relations of the event. It serves as mainly a figurehead position. However, in other cases, honorary chairs get involved in greater depth, participating in event planning and marketing strategies.

Selection

When planning an event or campaign, the board of directors may select an honorary chair. Typically the honorary chair is a person who may not have time to devote to a campaign, but whose name and influence can be used to assist in fundraising.

Expectations

When selected, the honorary chair should be notified that a substantial donation or gift to the campaign is expected. This may be a monetary donation, a performance or speaking engagement or anything else deemed a meaningful gift by organizers. The honorary chair must also agree not to deviate from the campaign, unless changes are discussed with head organizers.

In some cases, the honorary chair may be expected to attend all meetings and actively participate in planning. The honorary chair's duties can vary depending on the structure of the event or organization.

References

• Capital Venture: Importance of Volunteers In A Capital Campaign
• DIY Committee Guide: What Is The Role Of Honorary Officers?