Board Officers

Board Chair

1. General: Ensures the effective action of the board in governing and supporting the organization, and oversees board affairs. Acts as the representative of the board as a whole, rather than as an individual supervisor to staff.
2. Community: Speaks to the media and the community on behalf of the organization (as does the Executive Director); represents the agency in the community.
3. Meetings: Develops agendas for meetings in concert with the Executive Director. Presides at board meetings.
4. Committees: Recommends to the board which committees are to be established. Seeks volunteers for committees and coordinates individual board member assignments. Makes sure each committee has a chairperson, and stays in touch with chairpersons to be sure that their work is carried out; identifies committee recommendations that should be presented to the full board. Determines whether executive committee meetings are necessary and convenes the committee accordingly.
5. Executive Director: Establishes search and selection committee (usually acts as chair) for hiring an Executive Director. Convenes board discussions on evaluating the Executive Director and negotiating compensation and benefits package; conveys information to the Executive Director.
6. Board Affairs: Ensures that board matters are handled properly, including preparation of pre-meeting materials, committee functioning, and recruitment and orientation of new board members.

Vice/Co-Chair

1. General: Acts as the chair in his or her absence; assists the chair on the above or other specified duties.
2. Special Responsibilities: Frequently assigned to a special area of responsibility, such as membership, media, annual dinner, facility, or personnel.
3. Some organizations choose to make the vice president, explicitly or implicitly, the president-elect.

Treasurer

1. General: Manages the board's review of, and action related to, the board's financial responsibilities. May work directly with the bookkeeper or other staff in developing and implementing financial procedures and systems.
2. Reports: Ensures that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board. Regularly reports to board on key financial events, trends, concerns, and assessment of fiscal health.
3. Finance Committee: Chairs the Finance Committee and prepares agendas for meetings, including a year-long calendar of issues.
4. Auditor: Recommends to the board whether the organization should have an audit. If so, selects and meets annually with the auditor in conjunction with the Finance and/or Audit Committees.
5. Cash Management and Investments: Ensures, through the Finance Committee, sound management and maximization of cash and investments.

Secretary

1. Attend all board meetings
2. Serve on the executive committee if one exists
3. Ensure the safety and accuracy of all board records
4. Review board minutes
5. Assume responsibilities of the chair in the absence of the board chair, chair-elect, and vice chair
6. Provide notice of meetings of the board and/or of a committee when such notice is required

Board Members

Ten Basic Responsibilities of F.E.C.L.C. Board Members

1. Determine mission and purpose. It is the board's responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization's goals, means, and primary constituents served.
2. Select the Executive Director. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive's responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
3. Support and evaluate the Executive Director. The board should ensure that the Executive Director has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals of the organization.
4. Ensure effective planning. Boards must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan's goals.
5. Monitor, and strengthen programs and services. The board's responsibility is to determine which programs are consistent with the organization's mission and monitor their effectiveness.
6. Ensure adequate financial resources. One of the board's foremost responsibilities is to secure adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.
7. Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.
8. Build a competent board. All boards have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate their own performance.
9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity. The board is ultimately responsible for adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.
10. Enhance the organization's public standing. The board should clearly articulate the organization's mission, purpose, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.