Board Roles and Responsibilities

Member, Longfellow Community Council Board of Directors

Objective: To protect the assets of the Longfellow community, to represent the interests of identified constituencies, to promote the steady growth of the Longfellow Community Council, and to be catalysts for active citizen participation in the community. Updated: Sep 2020

Responsibilities

(These responsibilities are outlined in detail below)

  • Set the strategic direction and policies of the Longfellow Community Council
  • Monitor and understand the organization’s financial condition
  • Assist the staff in creating a fundraising plan
  • Represent the organization appropriately at both neighborhood and city-wide events
  • Operate within legal and ethical guidelines
  • Set a positive example for current and potential board members
  • Make an annual donation to LCC

Make annual personal [and/or professional] financial commitment to LCC

Time Commitment

  • Attend regularly scheduled board meetings – 10-11 per year, held on the third Tuesday of every month
  • Participate actively in one or more committees
  • Attend General Membership Meetings (2 times per year), held in April and October.
  • Attend scheduled board retreats, planning meetings, workshops or other board development activities
  • Attend, support and participate in LCC special events and community meetings
  • Estimated time commitment: 4-15 hours per month

Detailed Responsibilities

(unless otherwise noted, all responsibilities are annual)

I.  Monitor and understand the organization’s financial condition

  • Approve the annual budget for the organization
  • Regularly review the organization’s overall financial condition; take corrective action if financial condition is less than desired:
  • Financial statements (monthly)
  • Budget comparisons
  • Audits
  • Safeguard and manage the organization’s assets
  • Internal control (segregation of duties and financial policies and procedures)
  • Compliance with federal and state regulations for a [501(c)3]
  • Oversight of financial record keeping

II.  Set strategic direction and policies

  • Review and amend organizational strategic plan
  • Set realistic goals and objectives to accomplish the mission
  • Adopt policies to guide the staff, and record them in board meeting minutes and board policy book
  • Maintain and review personnel policies

III.  Fundraising (ongoing)

  • Assist with the organization’s fundraising
  • Help to diversify fundraising sources
  • Look for creative ways to raise money
  • Promote and participate in LCC fundraising events and efforts

IV.  Represent the Organization

  • Work to maintain and extend public image – all board members are ambassadors
  • Represent the community’s interests by collecting information on their needs and sharing information on the organization’s goals and plans
  • Provide the community with reports on annual performance by working with the staff to plan and conduct annual meetings
  • Distribute Welcome Packets, flyers and other communications in the community

V.  Maintain the Organizational Structure

  • Have job descriptions for directors and officers
  • Delegate responsibilities to committees
  • Follow articles and bylaws
  • Orient new board members
  • Evaluate the collective performance of the board
  • Ensure maintenance of board records
  • Follow Roberts Rules of Order

VI.  Operate within Legal and Ethical Guidelines

  • Read, understand, and conduct business according to the organization articles and bylaws
  • Understand all contracts in which the organization enters with board authority
  • Do not compete with the organization to its detriment or stand in the way of an organization opportunity
  • Do not act independently on matters which should be decided by the entire board
  • Hold all matters involving the organization in confidence until they have been publicly disclosed, or unless you are sure the information is a matter of public record or common knowledge
  • Disclose conflicts of interest

VII.  Set a Positive Example for Current and Future Board Members

  • Attend all board meetings if possible and be prompt and attentive; absences from board meetings does not constitute freedom from responsibility for board decisions; actively participate in board decision-making process
  • Attend board training
  • Give as careful attention to the affairs of the organization as you would to your own business
  • Work as a team with other board members
  • Support the decisions made by the majority of the board, unless the actions are unethical, irresponsible, or illegal; if you disagree with a board action, have your dissenting vote recorded in the meeting minutes
  • Read and understand the policies, articles, and bylaws of the organization
  • Read and review the monthly board packet including the financial statements prior to board meeting
  • Participate in LCC Events and activities
  • Participate in at least one LCC Committee
  • RSVP to LCC events

Desirable candidates will:

  • Be available to fully participate with the LCC
  • Work in the best interest of the LCC and the community
  • Bring enthusiasm and creativity to their role
  • Follow-through with commitments
  • Treat others with kindness and respect
  • Value a diversity of opinions
  • Represent members of the community and not self-interests
  • Actively engage and represent residents in their community