Responsibilities of a Board

1. Responsibilities of a Board

2. Responsibilities of a Non-Profit Board • For-Profit Boards represent their investors • Non-Profit Boards represent: • Those the agency serves • Those who donate their time and money to the agency • Must act like they are the owners and are accountable for the outcomes of the agency. • Holding agency management accountable • Themselves accountable

3. Wearing ‘Multiple Hats’ • Role of Board Volunteer • Member

4. Common Problems with Boards • They don’t understand what their responsibilities are. • Are not organized to get the work done. Spaces and Gaps • Not sure who does what? Role of board vs. role of management is confused • Don’t hold people accountable when they don’t do their work

5. Common Problems of Boards • Don’t encourage good works and hard work. Burn out occurs when just a few do most of the work. • Recruit anybody that will serve. • Don’t have specific responsibilities outlined for each board member. • Insufficient orientation for new board members

6. Responsibilities of a Board

7. Ends Responsibilities • Determine The Organization’s Mission, Vision and Purpose • - Develop, Promote, Communicate the Mission, Vision and purpose of the organization • - Set objectives for the organization and measure progress against them. • Develop and implement strategic and tactical plans for the organization • Determine, Monitor And Strengthen The Organization’s Programs And Services

8. Responsibilities • Resources • Ensure Adequate Financial And Human Resources to accomplish the mission • Understand the status of finances and people needed to fulfill the agency’s mission • Advocate for staff • Understand the sources and uses of funds • Monitor the financial condition of the agency • Develop strategies to raise funds as necessary • Assist in the fund development activities.

9. Responsibilities • Board members may act as volunteers to do the work of the agency • Examples include fundraising, in-kind services, PR and marketing, delivery of services, volunteer development • As a volunteer you are answerable to agency management and staff • Wear the volunteer hat • Work of the Agency

10. Responsibilities • Policy Development • Management guidelines and limitations • Examples: • HR Policies,Limitations on Capital Expenditures, Complaint Reporting and Resolution, Protection of Assets, Financial Latitude • Good policies protect the agency and reduce micromanagement. • Ensure Legal And Ethical Integrity And Maintain Accountability • Guidelines and Policies

11. Responsibilities • Hire (or fire) the Executive Director • Develop objectives for the ED • Appraise on a regular basis. • Support and encourage – not micromanage. • Board / • Management Relations

12. Responsibilities • Board Operations and Procedures • Run effective board meetings • Identify, recruit, and orient new board members • Review, comply and modify by-laws • Review and modify board structures as necessary • Assess their own performance and address issues with board performance.

13. Responsibilities of a Board and Committees • These responsibilities are usually distributed among the various board committees.

14. Most responsibilities are be distributed to committees • “Where the work is done” • Must have objectives consistent with the organization’s priorities. • Report back to the board • Regular reporting cycle. • Performance against goals • Only appropriate decisions brought to the board • Changes to objectives • Decisions that impact other committees or board • Use volunteers and former board members to fill out the committees.

15. Good People Doing Good