So, you’ve been asked to serve on a volunteer Board of Directors. What are your responsibilities?
The function of the Board of Directors is to lead the organization, set policy and approve major plans. The Board also has legal and fiscal responsibilities. The first thing that you should be doing is familiarize yourself with the constitution and by-laws of the organization. These documents spell out what the mission of the organization is and what the organization can and cannot do. If your organization has a Strategic Plan, become familiar with that as well. Know what the goals are for the near future and the extended goals. Know what the objectives are and how you, and the work that you are doing for the organization, fits into that picture.
You are a representative of your fellow members. Even if you were elected as a Board member from a specific region or section of the organization, as a Board member you should be considering the needs of the membership at large.
It is important for you to:
- Be well informed
- Concentrate on priority issues
- Behave prudently in your role as a director
- Be constructive in your suggestions and criticism
- Work cooperatively with the organization’s staff, the chief elected officer and your fellow Board members.
- Familiarize yourself with Robert’s Rules of Order so that you can assist in keeping the Board meeting on track.
If this is your first experience as a Board member, you may feel as if you need to just sit and listen. In reality, you were elected because of you leadership, insight and judgement. Use it – speak up when you have an idea, opinion or suggestion. You owe it to your organization to be a contributor.
