Board Development

Board Member Job Description

This document outlines information necessary to recruit, engage, and provide a graceful exit for a board member. The specifics will be unique to each organization. Please take the time to create a version based on the culture and values of your organization. 

Expectation of hours per year: xxx

Tools to guide the process:

• Bylaws
• Core ideology (core purpose/core values)
• Strategic and annual plans

Roles and responsibilities of a high-performing board:

1. Articulate and live the purpose and values of the organization and guide the organization in achieving its goals
2. Define organizational performance measures and strategically monitor effectiveness
3. Provide strategic guidance to the organization and its executive (as applicable)
4. Ensure financial solvency and resiliency (approve, oversee, conserve, and enhance the annual budget)
5. Help to raise resources (advise, plan, do, evaluate)
6. Select, support, partner, and evaluate the CEO/executive director (as applicable)
7. Engage in strategic succession planning to ensure mission continuity of the board and executive (as applicable)
8. Ensure continuous board improvement through strategic recruitment, thoughtful engagement, and graceful exit
9. Strategically partner with nonprofits, government, businesses, and donors for mission and community impact
10. Act as an ambassador and advocate with the voice of the mission

Sample commitment: As a member of this board, I commit to:

• Attend at least xx of xx board meetings per year
• Participate in the board’s annual retreat
• Participate in at least one board training event and an annual evaluation to identify ways in which the board can improve its performance
• Serve on at least one board committee (standing or ad hoc)
• If there are no staff – commit to one additional operational role on the team
• If there is a CEO/executive director – actively and appropriately partner with the executive
• If there are other staff beyond the executive – agree to the boundaries of the board to include no management of staff
• Make an annual personal financial donation that is meaningful and appropriate
• Hold this organization to a high standard of performance and actively help to make this a world-class organization
• Understand my roles and responsibilities and become sufficiently knowledgeable about our organization to make informed decisions
• Read the board materials and come prepared to board and committee meetings
• Arrive at meetings on time and stay for the full agenda unless I have otherwise notified the board or committee chair
• Ask for clarification on any matters or material that I do not understand before making a decision
• Listen carefully to other board members and staff with an open mind and an objective perspective
• Actively work towards those decisions and solutions that are in the organization’s best interests

Optional Responsibilities: I agree to do one of the three items listed each year:

• Participate in at least one fundraising opportunity
• Deliver the message of this organization publicly at other civic meetings, i.e. Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
• Volunteer in a community-wide project as part of our organization’s team

I agree to be informed about and observe all state, federal, and local laws and all board policies in our manual. In particular, I will:

• Avoid and/or declare all conflicts of interest
• Support equal opportunity and avoid all forms of discrimination
• Respect the confidentiality of the board’s business
• Follow all policies and code of ethics
• Ensure the organization carries board liability insurance

 

 

Signed: ________________________________________ Date: ______________________*

*Signed annually regardless of term or term limits