View from the Top | Your Board and “Fiduciary Duty”
Many nonprofits rely heavily on their Boards for institutional support, and SRAI is no different. We, the members of the Board, understand that board service takes time, energy, and resources – all of which each of us is providing on a volunteer basis. It may seem daunting to take on this sort of responsibility, but there are some critical benefits to joining a board that make the burdens worthwhile – YOU, our members.
Each board member has a “fiduciary duty” to the Society and its members. This means our authority and responsibilities as members of the Board exist only as a body and not as an individual board member. Our commitment is to do what is in the best interests of the whole Society and its members – our personal preferences should not factor into our decisions. As members of the Board, it is crucial that we accept this as a whole.
Every member of the Board is also a representative of our members. We are the “Ad Hoc Committee” and are here to listen to you and bring your suggestions and concerns to the entire Board. Contact us anytime.
As members of the Board, our primary focus is on strategy, oversight, and policy matters. Thou Shall not micromanage the affairs of the organization! As members of the Board, we are responsible for preserving our mission. Our members of the Board must keep in mind the four “C’s”:
- Culture (essential core values of our Society)
- Character (caring, respectful, and considerate)
- Competence (ability to adapt to different situations and come up with simple solutions to complicated problems)
- Connections (passion for the mission and connection to our members and sponsors, who can help the Society better serve the community)
Few things are more critical to the health and sustainability of SRAI than its Board of Directors. Therefore, it’s essential that you, our members, understand the purpose of your Board, nominate the best possible board members, and help ensure everyone works to sustain the mission and vision. https://www.srainternational.org/about/who-we-are
References:
5 Reasons to Join a Nonprofit #Board - LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-reasons-join-nonprofit-board-jennifer-jen-dalton
Board Of Directors: Nonprofit Governance And Structure - Kindful. https://kindful.com/nonprofit-glossary/board-of-directors/
Board Member Orientation - The Concise and Complete Guide to Nonprofit Board Service - Michael E. Batts
Authored by Gloria W. Greene, Assistant Vice President, Contracts & Grants
The University of Alabama at Huntsville
SRAI Board of Directors President
#Membership#December2022#ViewfromtheTop#Catalyst