Chance for Success Board Members

Save to Favorites

The Role of Board of Directors

Here are some of the characteristics of an effective volunteer board of directors:

• They are involved, active and ready to serve wherever needed.
• They represent the diversity in the community our organization serves.
• They are competent and concerned. They are willing and able to serve the organization and ensure we meet our goals.
• They are willing to give their time, talent and treasure.
• Their personal values line up with our organization.
• They are assigned major responsibility suited to their capabilities.
• They are regularly educated about what the organization is doing to meet our mission.
• They serve on a rotational basis and volunteer for task forces and committee assignments.
• They are recognized for their generosity. The board should be making annual and special gifts that are personally meaningful to them.

Length of Term: 2-3 years

Reports To: Entire Board of Directors

The board of directors is legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the organization. To that end it:

1. Determines how the organization will carry out its mission through long and short-range planning.
2. Adopts an annual budget and provides fiscal oversight.
3. Recruits, orients, and develops board members and fundraising volunteers.
4. Hires and evaluates the performance of the executive director.
5. Evaluates its performance and overall performance of the organization in achieving the mission.
6. Establishes policies for the effective management of the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Understand and promote the organization’s mission.
• Be familiar with the organization’s programs, policies, and operations.
• Attend board meetings and appropriate committee meetings.
• Actively serve on at least one committee and offer to take on special assignments.
• Review agenda and supporting documents prior to meetings.
• Make an annual contribution to the organization commensurate with ability.
• Provide leadership to the Annual Support Campaign, Endowment Recognition Club and other fundraising efforts.
• Strictly adhere to conflict-of-interest policies.
• Strictly adhere to confidentiality policies.

Time Demands (approximate):

• Attend and actively participate in at least 75% of board meetings (12 monthly board meetings, approximately 1.5 hours in length, on a set day and week day on the month).
• Attend and actively participate in committee meetings and related work (1-3 hours per month as determined by the committee) once established.
• Attend and actively participate in the Annual Support Campaign and special fundraising events (approximately 8-10 hours annually).
• Meet with potential donors/fundraisers to make a case for funding the organization, answer questions, etc. (approximately 6 hours annually).

Financial and Resource Development Expectations:

• Make an annual gift commensurate and significant according to your circumstances to the organization (in order to achieve 100% board giving).
• Serve in a leadership role on the Annual Support Campaign.
• Recruit volunteer campaigns to the Annual Support Campaign.
• Identify and cultivate potential donors for annual giving, special events, and the Endowment Recognition Club.