Board Responsibilities
The Board of Directors is the highest level of decision-making and authority in our organization. Its primary role is one of oversight, leadership and policy setting.
The Board employs an Executive Director(s) who is responsible for the day-to-day agency operations including:
- all aspects of service delivery
- management and support of governance policies
- assisting the Board with strategic plan development
- management of human resource
- fund development
- communications strategies
To fulfill its governance role, the Board of Directors will:
- Develop, review and change the agency’s governing documents and/or governance model (as required)
- Keep a focus on risk management by understanding what the risks are and take measures to reduce or eliminate risk exposure
- Make policy decisions that provide direction to the agency’s operations
- Update, periodically, the strategic plan and related business plans for the Board’s work
- Approve the budget for operations – exercising fiduciary responsibility through budget oversight
- Assure the agency’s financial stability
- Recruit dedicated and ambitious directors to help continue the Board’s work
An effective Board of Directors is critical to the health, success, and sustainability of our organization. Financial oversight, compliance, risk assessment, communications, evaluation and sustainability are all important components of a Board’s work. Board Members commit to the following:
- Regularly attend scheduled Board meetings and participate in a meaningful way
- Come prepared to meetings, having read materials and reviewed financial updates to identify critical questions
- Participate in at least one committee or working group
- Take part in Board training opportunities that may arise
- Treat Board discussions as confidential
- Contribute, according to their ability, contacts, resources and other commitments, to the support of the agency
- Participate in fund development activities and engage your network to do the same
- Fulfill commitments within agreed upon time lines
- Provide support to the Executive Director, staff and other team members – particularly in times of crisis
- Serve as an advocate and ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the community – find opportunities to discuss your involvement in the organization with your colleagues, clients, friends and associates
