Children First Board of Directors

North Star Goal

Our goal is for all people and organizations in St Louis Park, MN to be knowledgeable, strategically aligned and actively involved in increasing positive outcomes for children and youth, ensuring thatkids feel included, valued and deeply connected to our caring community.

Summary

The Children First Board and its members are entrusted by the community with the mission of Children First. They are the fiduciary and governing leadership body who steer the organization in advancement of the mission. The Board adopts ethical, legal and financial management policies to ensure that Children First has adequate resources to advance its mission and works toward a sustainable future for the organization. The Board member ensures accountability of the Executive Director, self, and other Board members for achieving these goals, while ensuring the mission is adequately resourced and that necessary infrastructure is in place.

Board Member Role

• Serves a three-year term. Renewable up to three terms.
• Actively participates in monthly Board meetings.
• Provides wisdom and experience to ensure vibrancy of Children First. Brings the “outside in”, actively representing the community for Children First.
• Acts as an ambassador, brand steward and an advocate for the organization in the community.
• Provides financial oversight for the organization.
• Works to bring out the best in the kids around them in their professional, civic and personal life.
• Engages St. Louis Park adults to become Children First Champions and build assets in young people.
• Gives financially to Children First at a level that is personally meaningful.
• Helps drive revenue growth in other ways including providing knowledge of the community and sharing social and reputational capital. Strongly encouraged to host a table at the Champions Breakfast, typically held the first Thursday in March.
• Sets personal goals that support the Children First strategic plan.
• Participates in learning opportunities to support this role.

Chair Role

• Elected by a simple majority of the Board in June to begin serving through June of the following year.
• Serves a one-year term. May be renewed for one year.
• Time commitment in addition to Board meetings includes a monthly meeting with the Executive Director to discuss organizational issues and prepare for Board meetings (approximately 1 hour/month; no meeting in July or August).
• Presides over Board meetings.
• Ensures that the Board has approved policies to help ensure sound and compliant governance and management of the organization.
• Partners with the Executive Director to lead the development and refinement of impact metrics.
• Serves as an ambassador of Children First to internal and external stakeholders.

Chair-Elect Role

• Elected by a simple majority of the Board in June to begin serving through June of the following year.
• Targeted to become Chair following the current Chair’s tenure and upon election.
• Serves a one-year term. Term may be renewed for one year depending upon date targeted to become Chair.
• Performs the duties of the Chair in case of the latter's absence or disability.
• Initiates planning process for his/her year as Chair.

Secretary Role

• Elected by a simple majority of the Board in June to begin serving through June of the following year.
• Keep the corporation's records and minutes, be the custodian of the records, documents, and papers of this corporation, fulfill the usual duties required by such office, and perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Treasurer Role

• Elected by a simple majority of the Board in June to begin serving through June of the following year.
• Keep accurate financial records for the corporation and is responsible for safeguarding the assets of this corporation. The Treasurer shall present a report of this corporation's financial transactions and status to the Board of Directors no less than annually and shall from time to time make such other reports to the President and the Board of Directors as those parties shall direct or require. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors.