Board Guidelines


Ten Basic Responsibilities of The Chamber Board    

Determine mission and purpose. It is the board's responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates The Chamber’s  goals, means, and primary constituents served.

Select the chief executive (president). Board must reach consensus on the chief executive's (president’s) responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.

Support and evaluate the chief executive (president). The board should ensure that the chief executive (president) has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals of the organization.

Ensure effective planning. Board must actively participate in overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan's goals.

Monitor and strengthen programs and services. The board's responsibility is to determine which programs are consistent with the organization's mission and monitor their effectiveness.

Ensure adequate financial resources. One of the board's foremost responsibilities is to secure adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.

Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.

Build a competent board. All board members have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate their own performance.

Ensure legal and ethical integrity. The board is ultimately responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.

Enhance the organization's public standing. The board should clearly articulate the organization's mission, goals, and accomplishments to the public and garner support from the community.
 
 Individual Board Member Responsibilities    
 
  • Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
  • Be informed about the organization's mission, services, policies, and programs.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
  • Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
  • Make a personal financial contribution to the organization.
  • Inform others about the organization.
  • Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization.
  • Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization's field.
  • Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
  • Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's annual financial statements.

 Personal characteristics expected from a board member    
 
  • Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group.
  • Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself.
  • Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.
  • Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit's development, a sense of humor. 
 
 
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