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RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS
General Expectations of Board Members:
1. Know the nonprofit's mission, purposes, goals, policies, programs, services, strengths and needs.
2. Suggest nominees for the board.
3. Serve in leadership positions or undertake special assignments willingly when asked.
4. A void prejudiced judgments on the basis of information received from individuals and urge
those with grievances to follow established policies and procedures through their supervisors.
5. Follow trends in the profession/service area of the nonprofit.
6. Bring a sense of humor to the board's deliberations.
Meetings:
1. Prepare for and participate in board and committee meetings, and other school activities.
2. Ask timely and substantive questions while supporting the majority decision.
3. Maintain confidentiality of the board's executive sessions.
4. Speak on behalf of the board when asked to do so by authorized persons.
5. Suggest agenda items periodically for board and committee meetings, to ensure that
significant policy related matters are addressed.
Relationship with staff:
1. Counsel the Executive Director as appropriate and offer support
2. Avoid asking for special favors of the staff, without prior consultation with the
Executive Director, Board President or Committee Chairperson.
Avoiding conflict:
1. Serve the nonprofit as a whole, rather than special interest groups.
2. Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, and disclose any possible conflicts to
the board President in a timely fashion.
3. Maintain independence and objectivity and do what a sense of fairness, ethics and personal
integrity dictate.
4. Never accept or offer favors or gifts from or to anyone who does business with the school.
Fiduciary responsibility:
1. Exercise prudence with the board in the control and transfer of funds.
2. Faithfully read and understand the organization's financial statements and otherwise
help the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibility.
Fund raising:
1. Give an annual gift according to personal means.
2. Assist the development committee and staff by implementing fund raising strategies through
personal influence with others (corporations, foundations, individuals).
Used with permission of The National Center for Nonprofit Boards
These materials are provided by Pro Bono Partnership for educational purposes only
and should not be considered as legal advice on any particular matter.
For further information. please contact the Partnership at: www.probonopartnership.org
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