Advisory Board Member

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Guidelines for Board participation are useful in identifying and recruiting potential Board members as well as serving as an evaluation tool, on a regular (e.g., annual) basis, for the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board as a whole to assess proposed or current Board members’ various contributions to the organization.

Circle of Friends Board members are expected to contribute to the organization in the following ways:

• Regularly attend Board meetings
• Demonstrate support for Circle of Friends cause of by promoting its good work, generating goodwill for the organization, encouraging support for its efforts, and keeping informed about its programs and activities
• Contribute knowledge and skills in at least one area essential to Board governance (see below)
• Help promote Circle of Friends visibility and advocate for its programs
• Give a yearly personal contribution that is meaningful to you
• Recruit donations from personal and business contacts to help Circle of Friends meeting its annual financial goals
• Participate in reviewing strategic plans and setting long-term priorities
• Participate in reviewing and approving an annual budget for the organization and reviewing its revenues and expenses on a quarterly basis to ensure that Circle of Friends mission is being upheld and its finances managed in a sound and ethical manner
• Participate in Circle of Friends events and fundraising meetings
• Help Circle of Friends understand and reach diverse communities and grow its membership
• Set procedures and policies to ensure that the agency is organized and managed in an accountable, fair and systematic manner and in compliance with applicable law

Individual Circle of Friends Board performance is regularly evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Attend at least 75 percent of Board meetings each year in person
2. Act on behalf of the corporation and its interests, putting aside personal concerns, affiliations or constituencies
3. Serve on at least one Board committee
4. Make an annual personal financial contribution to Circle of Friends
5. Help staff to promote Circle of Friends good work and visibility, introducing the organization to new communities, corporate sponsors, foundations, media and helpful individuals and potential partners
6. Contribute expertise in particular areas of nonprofit management, governance, finance, membership, or other areas that advance Circle of Friends mission and strategy.