Board of Directors

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The following is a listing of the Board’s general responsibilities:

·         Preserve and, when necessary, reshape Crisis House’s mission and vision and set major operating policies

·         Partner with key staff to set strategic direction and ensure the setting of annual organization goals and priorities

·         Provide ongoing financial oversight.  Establish and oversee fiscal policy, financial controls, and an annual budget (ongoing)

·         Help to ensure adequate resources for the agency to fulfill its mission (ongoing)

·         Oversee the organization’s programs and services to ensure compliance and mitigate any potential increase in liability or misuse of funds. (as needed).  Approve new programs and services that extend beyond the established mission, vision, and values of the organization. (as needed)

·         Annually assess the performance of the organization against its mission and key program indicators

·         Build/enhance the agency’s public image and reputation with key stakeholders/community (ongoing)

·         Identify and recruit volunteer leadership, board members, and committee members (as needed)

·         When necessary, select the Executive Director and work to develop and evaluate the Executive Director (ongoing).

·         Annually assess and improve own performance as the governing body of Crisis House

·         Meet or exceed legal and ethical standards and expectations

INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

To carry out the general Board responsibilities, individual Board members agree to perform the following specific duties:

·         Attend (punctually) at least 75% of the Board meetings

·         Participate in the organization’s fundraising activities either through attendance, assistance with marketing to your network, sponsorship, or underwriting. (see fundraising assistance) **

·         Give an annual financial contribution that is personally meaningful and/or be responsible for getting an annual financial contribution from your network.

·         Participate actively in at least one Board committee (ongoing)

·         Promote and attend Crisis House’s special events and functions (as needed)

·         Be informed about the mission, services, policies, and programs

·         Review agenda and supporting materials before board and committee meetings (quarterly)

·         As needed, seek potential Board Members, Committee members, and/ or volunteers who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization

·         Comply with the conflict-of-interest policy and confidentiality agreement

 

Fundraising

**To help provide resources.  The Board shares with the Executive Director the responsibility for fundraising.  For Board members, this has two aspects.  The first is that each board member, in addition to donating time and attention to Crisis House, will make a personally significant annual dollar contribution and/or be responsible for getting an annual financial contribution from your network.  The means of board members will vary widely; so will the scale of their contributions, but each member shall contribute to the best of their ability.

Secondly, when possible, Board members are encouraged to:

·         Actively promote the organization through professional contacts

·         Seek corporate and individual donations to the organization

·         Facilitate introductions/connections to individuals or organizations who can support the mission and strategic needs of Crisis House.