Board Member

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DCSC BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

DCSC believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a crucial component of its strategy and success as an organization. All DCSC board members are expected to actively support and implement practices within and across the organization to create a diverse, inclusive, and equitable Coalition. The DCSC Board of Directors is a governing board with legal and fiduciary responsibility to the organization. All DCSC directors are required to fulfill this legal and fiduciary obligation.

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are intended to guide each director, and to provide an understanding of what is expected from the board above and beyond the legal requirements.

Board Directors, therefore, should be familiar with the following:

1. DCSC’s mission statement, program areas and strategic plan
2. The basic staffing and structure of DCSC
3. Bylaws of DCSC
4. DCSC Board Responsibilities
5. DCSC Annual Board Commitment

General Oversight: Although the Board of Directors is not expected to make operating decisions, it must perform certain critical oversight functions, in addition to those listed above:

1. Hiring, supporting and annually evaluating the Executive Director
2. Recruiting and acclimating members of the Board of Directors
3. Creating and implementing board procedures
4. Reviewing the performance of the Board of Directors and individual board members annually
5. Ensuring compliance with and periodically updating the DCSC bylaws
6. Providing strategic direction, which includes regular reviews of the DCSC mission, vision and values, and active maintenance and delivery on strategic plans
7. Providing oversight regarding legal contracts and concerns
8. Formulating policies
9. Advocating for and promoting DCSC

Fiscal Oversight: The Board of Directors must provide broad fiscal oversight, including the adoption of an annual budget, quarterly review of revenue and expenses, and review of tax forms and audits. Board members are expected to serve in a fiduciary capacity, utilizing their judgment and discretion for the benefit of DCSC.

Fundraising and development: As a non-profit agency, fundraising and development are vital to the success of DCSC. One of the most important functions of the board is to assist and oversee DCSC’s fundraising efforts. Consistent with this, all board members are expected to do the following:

1. Identifying and evaluating prospects, cultivating and soliciting gifts, actively supporting development programs, and offering personal acknowledgments to donors and volunteers, raising at least $5000 annually.
2. Providing leadership, contributing ideas and actively advocating for the fundraising and development efforts of the DCSC.
3. Making a personally significant financial gift annually. A board member’s financial gift should be made prior to June Board meeting.
4. Soliciting the financial support of others in addition to his or her personal contribution.

Involvement in Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, Organizational Support and Events: Board members are expected to actively participate in board meetings and serve on at least one board committee. If a Director is absent from 25% of board meetings or more meetings without advance notice to and approval of the Secretary, or 25% of committee meetings without advance notice to the Committee Chair, he or she may be asked to resign. Board members provide 16 hours per year outside of board meetings and committee meetings. Board Members are strongly encouraged to attend DCSC’s public events. Board members should attend at least one national convening during the two year term. Secretaries will mark attendance "Present," "Absent" or "Excused."

Officers: Officers of the Board of Directors are expected to fulfill the responsibilities of a board member, in addition to the specific responsibilities of the officer position held.

Chair : The Board Chair is expected to provide leadership to and facilitate DCSC’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, ensuring that DCSC’s Board fulfills its legal and financial obligations and individual board members fulfill their board responsibilities. The Board Chair facilitates communication and decision-making within the board. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Convening and facilitating board and Executive Committee meetings
2. Ensuring that the board is operating within the spirit and letter of the mission and vision of DCSC and in accordance with the bylaws
3. Engaging the full board in collaborative decision making
4. Maintaining regular contact with the Executive Director and being available as needed
5. Ensuring annual evaluation of the Executive Director and board
6. Serving as Ex-Officio member of all committees. This means the Chair can attend any committee meeting as a voting members if s/he wishes.

Vice-Chair: The Board Vice-Chair is expected to provide leadership to DCSC’s Board of Directors, ensuring that DCSC’s Board fulfills its legal and financial obligations and individual board members fulfill their board responsibilities. The Board Vice-Chair serves as a member of the Executive Committee and supports the Board Chair in his or her board leadership. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the Chair in the case of her or his inability or absence
2. Fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of the Secretary in the case of her or his inability or absence
3. Preparing to fulfil the position of Chair as a "next step" board role

Secretary: The Board Secretary is expected to establish and oversee sound practices for documentation and effective procedures for board communication. The Board Secretary serves as a member of the Executive Committee. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Overseeing the recording and distribution of board and Executive Committee meeting minutes
2. Keeping records of all official board communication (including but not limited to board meeting minutes) and official and/or legal DCSC documents, such as bylaws
3. Taking attendance at board meetings, including "Excused" members
4. Signing DCSC documents as needed

Treasurer: The Board Treasurer is expected to provide financial oversight and monitor the financial health of the DCSC. The Treasurer serves as a member of the Executive Committee and chairs DCSC’s Finance Committee. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing, in coordination with the Executive Director:

1. Creating, presenting and monitoring the annual budget
2. Reviewing for accuracy DCSC’s tax forms and a third-party annual audit
3. Creating and distributing quarterly financial reports prior to board meetings
4. Presenting financial information to the board and being available for questions
5. Monitoring compliance with financial policies and procedures; suggesting changes and new policies as needed
6. Providing regular financial oversight and alerting the Executive Committee immediately if concerns arise
7. Signing DCSC documents as needed

Committee Chairs: The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of

the Board of Directors then in office, designate committees. Each Committee will be Chaired by a member of the board. Specific responsibilities of each Committee Chair include, but are not limited to:

1. In consultation with the Executive Director, and/or other board or committee members establishing regular meetings, developing an agenda for each meeting, maintaining minutes of committee meetings, monitoring annual goals of committee. Agendas and materials for all DCSC committee meetings should be sent out at least 3-5 days ahead of time in order to provide committee members with sufficient time to be fully prepared to make key decisions in every committee meeting.
2. In consultation with the Executive Director, and/or other board or committee members establishing a set of yearly and quarterly committee goals that advance the overall work of the Coalition
3. Providing leadership and ensuring committee members are aware of their obligations and that the committee complies with its responsibilities

Length of terms: By agreeing to serve DCSC, a member of the Board of Directors agrees to participate in a two year term. A board member may serve 3 consecutive 2-year terms for a total of 6 years. After serving 3 consecutive terms, a board member will rotate off the board for one (1) year unless determined otherwise by the governance committee. During this time, they may choose to still participate in board committees but will not be part of the formal Board of Directors. After a one-year hiatus, the member may reapply to the board of directors.

DCSC ANNUAL COMMITMENT

As a board member of the Diverse Charter Schools Coalition (DCSC), I understand that my duties and responsibilities from July 1, 2022to June 30, 2024include the following:

1. I am fully committed and dedicated to the mission of the DCSC and have pledged to carry out this mission. I will actively promote DCSC, support its staff and collaborate with member schools.
2. I actively cultivate an environment of dialogue and action that empowers our organization to continuously make progress on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
3. I am fiscally responsible, with other board members, for the organization. I will know what our budget is and take an active part in reviewing, approving, and monitoring the budget and fundraising to meet it.
4. I know my legal responsibilities for this organization and those of my fellow board members. I am responsible for knowing and overseeing the implementation of policies and programs.
5. I accept the bylaws and understand that I am morally responsible for the health and well-being of this organization.
6. I will give an annual, financial donation, at a level I consider generous, prior to the June board meeting of the fiscal year. It is important to the DCSC to receive 100% financial commitment from all board members.
7. I will actively engage in fundraising for this organization in whatever ways are best suited for me. These may include individual solicitations, attending receptions and/or special events, sending thank you letters, making calls, etc. I am making a good faith agreement to do my best and to raise at least $5,000 this year in partnership with DCSC staff.
8. I will attend at least 75% of board meetings and committee meetings, be available for phone consultation, and serve on the following committee(s): _____________________
9. I will provide up to 16 hours per year (approximately 1.3 hours per month) in strategic counsel to the Executive Director outside of board meetings and committees.
10. I will attend at least one national convening during my time on the board.
11. If I am not able to meet my obligations as a board member, I will offer my resignation.

In signing this document, I understand that no quotas are being set and that no rigid standards of measurement and achievement are being formed. Every board member is making a statement of faith about every other board member. We are trusting each other to carry out the above agreement to the best of our ability.

Signed,

_____________________ _______________________ ______________________

Executive Director, Date Date Board Chair, Date Board Member, Date