Home › Board of Directors

Individual board member responsibilities and sample job descriptions

A board's collective responsibilities are achieved in large part by the role that each individual member plays on behalf of the organization. As a core component of individual fiduciary reponsibility, individual members exercise the 'duty of care' by performing due-diligence in all organizational matters assigned to them. Individual members exercise the 'duty of loyalty' by acting in the best interests of the organization and eschewing or disclosing real or perceived conflicts of interest. Within this framework, individual board members contribute their unique set of skills and expertise, contacts, resources, and experiences to enable the organization to mature and acheive optimal performance.

In general, individual board member responsibilities include:
  • Attending the majority of board meetings
  • Being prepared by reading the board packet and related correspondence
  • Serving on at least one committee
  • Contributing financially and supporting fund raising activities
  • Purchasing tickets to events, subscriptions and/or memberships
  • Cultivating new donors and subscribers
  • Being an ambassador for the organization
  • Regularly attending events
In addition, effective board members:
  • Are able to effectively convey the organization’s mission, values, programs, and services to others
  • Stay informed about issues affecting the specific industry or discipline and the community served
  • Participate in all fiduciary activities
  • Support the staff and understand the dividing lines between board and staff
  • Focus on the big picture and not the day-to-day
  • Assist in the recruitment of new board members with needed expertise
It is a best practice to make job descriptions available to every board of director, officer and committee chair. Officer positions typically include: board chair/president, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer. These positions comprise additional responsibilities and duties vital to the healthy functioning of the board. It is essential that the skills of the individuals in these roles match the needs and requirements of each position.

Resources

  1. BoardSource: What Makes an Exceptional Board Member
  2. Idealist.org: Nonprofit Board Member Job Descriptions
  3. Free Management Library: Sample Job Descriptions for Members of Boards of Directors
  4. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: Board Member Position Descriptions

 

‹ Core Responsibilities of Nonprofit BoardsupCharacteristics and best practices of effective boards ›