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BOARD MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT

Between

 And

1. I have examined the mission of the Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc. and share its commitment to provide high quality day care and family services.
   
   [It is important that each Board Member fully understand what the organization exists to accomplish and personally commit to doing what s/he is able to support that mission. Moreover, it is the Board's responsibility to define, affirm and, when necessary, revise the organization's mission.]
   
2. I agree to familiarize myself with the organization's programs and services, and I expect Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc. staff to keep me abreast of developments in the organization's programming [through reports provided by the Executive Director or by other staff designated by the Executive Director.]
   
   [The Board needs to ensure that current and proposed programs and services are consistent with the organization's stated mission and goals. The ability of the Board to fulfill this role depends largely on the quality of communication between staff and Board.]
   
3. I agree to represent and speak on behalf of the organization so that others in the community may learn about, benefit from, and contribute to the services that Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc. provides.
   
   [Board Members play a critical role in "spanning" the boundaries between the organization and the community at large, serving both a marketing and an accountability function for community-based organizations.]
   
4. I expect the organization to provide me with full information about its finances, and I agree to make the effort needed to understand the organization's financial position, and assure that it meets its financial obligations and responsibly manages the resources entrusted to its use.
   
   [The Board legally bears a fiduciary responsibility for the resources provided the organization; this involves assuring the proper management of organizational  revenues and any accumulated assets.]
   
5. 5. In turn, I agree to do my part to help find financial support for the organization. I will make regular personal contributions, consistent with my own ability to give.  In addition, I will cooperate in developing whatever contacts I may have with individual donors or with funders for the benefit of Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc.
   
   [An organization can be only as effective as its resources allow. Assuring that adequate resources are available presently and in the future is integrally linked to the Board's responsibility for upholding the mission.]
   
6. I will do my best to carry out whatever work I agree to do for the organization. If I find difficulty in keeping a commitment, I will let the Chairperson or staff know. I expect to get whatever training I need to carry out my duties.
   
   [All Board Members (Directors) are subject to fundamental responsibilities. The "Duty of Care" is a legal standard which establishes a Director's responsibility or duty as that of applying the "diligence, care and skill that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise in like position and under similar circumstances."]
   
7. I know the Board meeting attendance policy as stated in the bylaws. I expect to be given reasonable notice about upcoming meetings. I agree to make every effort possible to attend regular Board meetings. If I find I am unable to attend a meeting, I will notify the Chairperson or appropriate staff person in advance. After the meeting, I will take the initiative to find out what I missed. I expect to receive regular minutes of meetings and such other printed material, as I need to function as a Board Member.
   
   [It is common practice for non-profit Boards to meet at least four times a year and for Members to receive at least several weeks notice of scheduled meetings, and for "quorum" (the minimum number of Members required to hold a binding vote) to consist of not less than one-third of the Members. To assure that busy Board Members will make the time to attend Board meetings, it is often useful to establish and publish a calendar of Board meetings, retreats and events at the start of each year, so that your Members can reserve the time in their appointment book.]
   
8. I will make every effort to bring new talent to the organization: prospective new Board Members, volunteers for committees and task forces, and potential candidates for staff openings.
   
   [For self-perpetuating Boards (those whose future Members are elected to the Board by existing Members), each Member needs to stay alert for promising talent. It is equally important for Board leadership to keep Members abreast of specific needs: to replace resigning Members, to attract a certain skill or representation of an important constituency, to expand the Board's labor force or fundraising capacity, etc.]
   

9. I am open to being called upon by staff to utilize whatever skills I have to assist them, subject to my available time. The following are the areas to which I would be able to lend my support:
   
   [Each Board Member should have something to contribute to the Board and the work of the organization]:
   
   [ ] Assist in fundraising activities
   [ ] Provide professional counsel and guidance
   [ ] Assist the organization in planning its budget
   [ ] Assist with the development and guidance or programs
   [ ] Other areas of possible involvement:
   

10. I agree to act in the best interest of Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc. and speak up when I see something that I think is inappropriate or going wrong in the organization.
    
    [Another standard for evaluating Board Member responsibility is called the "Duty of Loyalty". This requires the Director's faithful pursuit of the interests of the organization s/he serves rather than his/her personal financial or other interest or those of another person or organization. A mechanism, perhaps at Board meetings, should be developed for the Directors to share these opinions with the full Board.]
    

11. If the time should come when I find I can no longer fulfill the duties of Board membership, I will not simply fade away but will notify the Chairperson immediately and make arrangements to transfer any outstanding responsibilities to colleague(s) on the Board.
    
    [Inactive Board Members can represent a drain on the organization. The voluntary commitment of each Member should be acknowledged and appreciated. When a Member is no longer able to fully participate on the Board, his/her final service is to step down and allow the Board to fund an active replacement.
    

12. I agree to become a Member of the Board of Better Beginnings Day Care Center, Inc. for a term beginning _____________, and running for ___________, through _____________, in keeping the by-laws.
    
    [There are no hard-and-fast rules for determining Board Member's tenure. Many organizations do, however, limit Members to two consecutive terms and require a hiatus of one year before a Board Member may be re-appointed. Many organizations also stagger terms of service so that one-half or one-third of the Board is elected every one or two years for two terms of two to four years. Such policies encourage institutional renewal because a Board can profit from the experience of veteran Board Members, while welcoming the fresh perspective that new Members offer.]

    I accept the above commitments as a statement of my responsibilities as a Member of the Board of Directors and recognize my full participation is needed.

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