&Rise Board Member (Volunteer)

Summary:

A board of directors, also known as a nonprofit board, is the governing body

of a nonprofit. The members of a nonprofit board focus on the high-level strategy,

oversight, and accountability of the organization. This contrasts with employees or

managers who oversee the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit.

Legal Responsibilities:

Board members have the legal responsibility to meet the duty of

care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of obedience. Under well-established principles of

nonprofit corporation law, a board member must meet certain standards of conduct and

attention in carrying out their responsibilities to the organization. Several states have

statutes adopting some variation of these duties that would be used in court to

determine whether a board member acted improperly. These standards are usually

described as the duty of care, the duty of loyalty, and the duty of obedience.

Basic Responsibilities:

• Support and evaluate the Chief Executive Officer.
• Agree to a $1000 give/get contribution to And Rise Women Inc. (&Rise)
• Must attend board meetings (mandatory).
• Must attend annual gala.
• Must be able to commit the time necessary to actively fulfill board responsibilities.
• Ensure that the chief executive has the moral and professional support they need to further the goals of the organization.
• Ensure effective planning.
• Must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals.
• 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.
• Ensure adequate financial resources.
• One of the board’s foremost responsibilities is to secure adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.
• Protect assets and provide proper financial oversight.
• Responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, periodically and comprehensively evaluate their own performance.
• Ensure legal and ethical integrity.
• Enhance the organization’s public standing.
• The board should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community through advocacy.

Establishing Identity and Direction:

• Adopting or revising a strategic plan or defining a strategic direction for the organization within the past three years.
• Ensure that the organization’s mission, vision, and values are reflected in the organization’s programs.
• Ensure that the organization’s strategic priorities are adequately reflected in the annual budget.

Ensuring the necessary Resources:

• Adopting policies related to funds to be pursued and/or accepted in support of the mission.
• All board members must be active participants in fundraising efforts
• All board members arrive at meetings on time and prepared.
• Ensuring that all board members reflect the strategic needs of the organization.
• Ensuring that the chief executive’s skills and other qualities represent a good match for the organization’s strategic needs.
• Seek and review information related to the organization’s reputation.

Providing Oversight:

• Ensuring that the organization has up-to-date risk management policies and plans.
• Monitoring progress toward achievement of goals related to the organization’s programs.
• Having a clear understanding of the organization’s financial health.
• The Chief Executive receives an annual performance review from the board.
• Board members are familiar with the chief executive’s compensation package.

Board Operations:

• Regularly assessing the board's own performance. Ensuring organizational and board policies are regularly reviewed.
• Ensuring committees and task forces actively engage board members in the work of the board.
• Ensuring board meeting agendas focus the board’s attention on issues of strategic importance.

Qualifications for an effective board member for &Rise:

Here is a checklist of qualifications your &Rise board members should have:

• Legal & Compliance: An attorney to protect our liability, review facilitator guidelines, and ensure total client confidentiality.
• Financial Oversight: A CPA or financial manager to act as Treasurer, audit our books, and get us ready for major government or corporate grants.
• Fundraising & Corporate Connections: Professionals with direct access to corporate sponsors, foundation grants, or donors who can bring funding to &Rise.
• Clinical Oversight: A licensed mental health professional (like an LCSW or therapist) to ensure our counseling and support group programs remain top-tier and trauma-informed.
• Cultural Competency: Leaders who understand the specific cultural stigmas around abuse and are passionate about breaking the cycle of silence.
• Active Commitment: Individuals with the actual time to roll up their sleeves, lead committees, and fulfill an annual financial "give-or-get" goal.