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The Board of Directors of a nonprofit organization provides continuity for the organization and remains in existence as long as the corporation does. Individual members of the board form a corporate body, which has overall responsibility for the organization.
ROLES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Budget and Finance
The board approves an annual budget, monitors program expenditures, and determines fiscal controls policies for the organization. Overall responsibility for fiscal accountability rests with the board. The board hires the auditing firm, receives the audit management letter, and considers recommendations made by the auditing firm.
2. Planning and Evaluation
The board develops (with staff) and approves the long-range plan for the organization including the organization's mission and goals. The board helps determine priorities for long-term directions and monitors implementation of the goals to determine if the organization is meeting its purpose.
3. Fundraising
The board assures that adequate resources are in place for the organization. The board approves fundraising methods and goals and participates in fundraising activities. Generally, board members are expected to contribute financially to the organization.
4. Policy-setting
The board determines the organization's policies. Policies are broad guidelines that provide a framework for decision-making. Staff is generally responsible for determining internal operational policies.
5. Personnel
The board hires the Executive Director or President; the board is responsible for setting clear performance objectives and for evaluating performance. The board determines the Executive Director salary scales, benefits, and develops overall organizational personnel policies.
6. Public Relations
The board communicates with funders, community leaders, and others interested in the organization. Individual board members play both an informal and a formal public relations role.
7. Board Continuity and Effectiveness
The board determines the structure of the board and its committees and sets standards for board performance. In addition, the board implements a self-evaluation at least annually and follows up on ways to strengthen board performance. The board establishes a Nominations Committee and identifies priorities for board recruitment. Individual board members may meet with prospective new board members to discuss organizational priorities. The board schedules regular orientation sessions for new board members and identifies subject areas for the board's policy manual.
8. Advising
The board acts as a resource to Executive Director, offering administrative guidance about various internal strategic directions as well as program areas.
MCASA BOARD MEMBER QUALIFICATIONS
New board members will be chosen with care for their ability to participate constructively in the process of governing. Board membership will be based on the need of specific skills to accomplish specific goals.
1. It will be more important that the board is composed of constructively participating members than that maximum board membership is maintained.
2. Board members shall possess the following qualities befitting the board's task.
Understands the board's approach to governance and accepts the stringent board discipline, including attendance requirements.
- Able to join assertively in the debate of board-level issues, with no fear of dissent.
- Willing to commit time to training to communication with other boards or external functions, to committee work, and to attendance at the required orientation session.
- Willing to stand behind policies of the board regardless of personal stands taken prior to the vote. Similarly, willing to support the Executive Director when she/he has acted in compliance with board policies.
- Supports the mission of the coalition.
- Able to contribute to the representation of the overall diversity of the community, which the coalition serves.
- Has feminist beliefs regarding the stories of women (Feminism is the principle that women should have political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men.)
- Understands and agrees to the agency philosophy statement.
- Illustrate through language and behavior in both professional and personal situations an attitude free of bias, prejudice, or discrimination against individuals or classes based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, physical or developmental disabilities, or other irrelevant criteria.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Board of Directors Member for the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Description: The affairs of the nonprofit organization are vested in the Board of Directors acting collectively as the board; the directors form the governing body of the organization. The Board is responsible for the purpose, programs and public accountability of the nonprofit organization.
Responsibilities: (Acting as one member of the Board..)
1. Renew the organization's purpose and directions
- Determine and update the mission statement. Participate in the planning process and approve long-range plans. Model personal and professional development, and provide inspiration and leadership.
2. Monitor management
- Hire and support the Executive Director. Evaluate his/her performance annually. Oversee the program operation and budget.
3. Interpret the organization to the community
- Enhance the public image. Preserve institutional independence. Assure financial solvency and assist in raising funds.
4. Interpret the community to the organization
- Participate in identifying needs and opportunities. Individual board members bring special perspective and areas of expertise to the organization.
5. Assess board performance and enhance board continuity and effectiveness
- Set aside board time for evaluation of board performance and follow through on ways to strengthen the board.
Qualifications:
1. Attend regularly scheduled board meetings; read background information and come prepared to discuss information. Must have the ability to put the interests of the nonprofit organization first (or declare a conflict of interest). Contribute to the board committee work as appropriate.
2. An ability to approach each problem with standards of what is right and what is fair. A balance of toughness and sensitivity is needed. An ability to work as a team player. A world view which is consistent with the values expressed by the organization's values and mission statement.
3. Experience in one or more of the following areas: education, financial management, fundraising, law, management, marketing, personnel or technical abilities related to the nonprofit purpose.
Other Qualifications:
- Ability to constructively participate with other board members.
- Able to join assertively in the debate of board-level issues, with no fear of dissent.
- Willing to stand behind policies of the board regardless of personal stands taken prior to the vote. Similarly, willing to support the Executive Director when she/he has acted in compliance with board policies.
- Able to contribute to the representation of the overall diversity of the community that the Coalition serves.
- Has feminist beliefs regarding the stories of women (Feminism is the principle that women should have political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men.)
- Understands and agrees to the agency philosophy statement.
- Illustrate through language and behavior in both professional and personal situations an attitude free of bias, prejudice, or discrimination against individuals or classes based on race, color, creed, religion, economic status, physical or developmental disabilities or other irrelevant criteria.
To apply: MNCASA Board Application (PDF)
For additional information, contact:
Donna Dunn info@mncasa.org, Interim Executive Director 651-209-9993 or 1-800-964-8847.
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