Organizational background The Council of Latino Agencies was founded in 1977 by a group of organizations and community activists to serve the District of Columbia's burgeoning Latino community, primarily Central Americans fleeing the ravages of civil war and political repression. Originally known as the Council of the Hispanic Community and Agencies (CHCA), the newly-formed coalition envisioned that with the establishment of a consolidated grassroots network, the Latino community would be better positioned to address its own needs in a cost-effective, comprehensive and professional manner. The organization also perceived the need to play a leadership role in fostering cooperation, coordination, and resource-sharing among service agencies to meet the most basic needs of low-income Latinos in Washington. For over twenty years, the Council has provided vital assistance to grassroots organizations while advocating for increased support for community-based efforts to improve the health, education, housing, and social welfare conditions for Washington-area Latinos. The Council currently comprises 37 multi-cultural organizations, forming a network of service providers to Latinos (Annex A includes a list of member agencies). The Council also works in collaboration with dozens of Latino and non-Latino leaders, activists, and organizations throughout the metropolitan area on issues of mutual concern. Through the Council, member agencies coordinate service-delivery multiply their purchasing and bargaining power, and share information and resources. Using an ongoing consultation process to promote consensus, the Council and its members have successfully become a bridge linking Latinos to the major institutions and stakeholders throughout the metropolitan area, including local and federal government agencies, local and national nonprofits, professional associations, businesses, corporate and philanthropic foundations and the media. The overall direction of the Council's activities is highly responsive to the existing and emerging needs of its membership and Board. The membership votes for a thirteen-member Board of Directors that in turn elects its Executive Committee. The Board's responsibilities are to: select, contract, supervise and evaluate the executive director; approve and monitor programs and services; assist in fundraising efforts; monitor the effective fiscal management and approve the annual budget; enhance the organization's public image; evaluate operations and Board performance; and ensure the design and implementation of sound risk-management policies.

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