Join Our Leadership Team: Board of Directors

Meeting and Board Leadership

• Preside over meetings: Runs board and executive committee meetings and guides discussions.
• Set agendas: Collaborates with the executive director to plan meeting topics and goals.
• Appoint committees: Assigns committee chairs and helps select committee members.

Executive Director Partnership

• Serve as primary liaison: Acts as the main point of contact between the full board and the executive director.
• Lead evaluations: Coordinates the annual performance review and compensation process for the executive director.
• Provide support: Offers ongoing coaching, thought partnership, and sounding-board support. 

Governance and Oversight

• Ensure accountability: Keeps the board focused on its governance, strategic, and fiduciary duties.
• Guide board development: Oversees the recruitment, onboarding, and performance assessment of individual board members.
• Act as spokesperson: Represents the organization publicly or to the media alongside or on behalf of the executive director. 

Financial Oversight & Reporting

• Review monthly or quarterly financial statements (balance sheets and income statements)
• Present clear financial updates at board meetings
• Track cash flow and monitor financial trends
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of restricted donor funds 

Budgeting & Planning

• Help staff and committees create the annual operating budget
• Present the proposed budget to the full board for formal approval
• Compare actual spending and revenue against budgeted projections
• Advise the board on financial capacity for new projects 

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure the timely filing of federal and state tax forms, such as the IRS Form 990
• Help establish and enforce internal controls to prevent fraud
• Coordinate annual financial reviews or independent audits
• Serve as the main board contact for outside accountants and auditors 

Meeting Management and Communication

• Schedule meetings: Set regular meeting dates and send official notices according to the bylaws.
• Distribute materials: Share agendas, reports, and background documents before meetings.
• Record minutes: Write clear, accurate accounts of motions, discussions, and votes.
• Distribute minutes: Send out draft and final approved minutes to board members quickly. 

Record Keeping and Custody

• Safeguard documents: Protect official records like the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and tax filings.
• Maintain rosters: Keep up-to-date lists of board members, contact details, and committee assignments.
• Track terms: Monitor board member term limits and classes to plan for leadership rotation. 

Governance and Compliance

• Know the rules: Reference the bylaws and key policies to guide the board during discussions.
• Support compliance: Help ensure that legal filing deadlines and governance procedures are met. 

A nonprofit board committee chair leads a specific sub-group (like finance, governance, or fundraising), setting meeting agendas, driving project goals, assigning tasks to members, and reporting progress and recommendations back to the full board of directors.

Leading Meetings and Planning

• Set agendas: Plan clear, focused meeting goals and timelines in advance.
• Facilitate discussions: Guide group talks and keep members focused on core objectives.
• Schedule sessions: Pick meeting dates and ensure regular communication channels stay open. 

Managing and Supporting Members

• Assign tasks: Delegate research or project duties to individual committee members.
• Engage participants: Encourage active involvement and use each member's unique skills.
• Onboard new helpers: Welcome and brief new additions to the committee. 

Reporting to the Full Board

• Deliver updates: Present clear summaries, motions, and action items at main board meetings.
• Align with strategy: Ensure committee projects match the wider mission and board directives.
• Seek approval: Bring major committee decisions or budget needs to the full board for a vote. 

Core duties include maintaining the mission, hiring and evaluating the executive director, approving budgets, ensuring legal compliance, and supporting fundraising, governed by the legal principles detailed by the National Council of Nonprofits. 

Legal Fiduciary Duties

• Duty of care: Act with common sense and active participation, attending meetings and reviewing documents.
• Duty of loyalty: Put the nonprofit's interests above personal or professional gain and disclose conflicts.
• Duty of obedience: Obey laws, regulations, and internal organizational bylaws. 

Governance and Operations

• Mission stewardship: Ensure all activities and programs align with the core mission.
• Executive oversight: Hire, support, review, and compensate the chief executive or director.
• Strategic planning: Set long-term goals and monitor program results. 

Financial and Resource Management

• Financial oversight: Approve annual budgets, review financial statements, and guide audits.
• Fundraising: Contribute personally and assist in building donor and community support.