Job Description

Position Title: Board Member (Director)

Term: 3 years (eligible for a second term with a maximum of 6 consecutive years)

Position Description: to serve as a member of the Board of Directors that governs the Center.

General expectations:

1. Embrace Mary Crane’s mission, vision, and values, and understand its goals, policies, programs, services, strengths, and needs.
2. Serve in leadership positions and undertake special assignments willingly when asked.
3. Refrain from making biased judgments based on information received from individuals.
4. Urge those with complaints to follow established policies and procedures.
5. Identify, and, if appropriate, cultivate nominees for the board.
6. Be willing to mentor new board members.
7. Speak on behalf of the board only when asked to do so by authorized persons.
8. Follow trends in our field of interest.
9. Actively serve on at least one committee.
10. Refrain from intruding on administrative issues that are the responsibility of management,

except to monitor the results of the Center.

1. Participate in strategic planning retreats, board self­assessments, and board development workshops, seminars, and other educational events that enhance board member skills.
2. Support all board decisions and speak with one voice.
3. Build a collegial working relationship with other board members and staff.
4. Bring constructive suggestions, critical thinking, creativity, and a positive approach to the board’s deliberations.
5. Demonstrate a positive spirit of service.

Meetings:

1. Attend and actively participate in all board and committee meetings, including on site meetings and virtual meetings.
2. Review in advance all appropriate materials and come prepared to each board meeting.
3. Ask timely and substantive questions while supporting the majority decision.
4. Respectfully provide opinions and constructive feedback.
5. Keep confidential information confidential, including the board’s executive sessions.
6. Suggest agenda items periodically for board and committee meetings to ensure that significant policy related matters are addressed.

Fundraising and Ambassadorship:

1. Actively support Mary Crane Center with a meaningful annual financial contribution to ensure 100% board member giving.
2. Help ‘get’ financial and in kind support by supporting fundraising strategies, identifying and cultivating prospective donors (e.g., individuals, corporations, foundations), opening doors, etc.
3. Attend and participate in special events and activities.
4. Represent Mary Crane Center in a positive and supportive manner at all times.

Relationship with staff:

1. Counsel the chief executive as appropriate and offer support.
2. Avoid asking special favors of the staff or directing staff to work on projects without prior consultation with the chief executive.

Fiduciary responsibility:

1. Exercise prudence with the board in the control and transfer of funds.
2. Faithfully read and understand Mary Crane’s financial statements and otherwise help the board fulfill its fiduciary responsibility.
3. Understand and uphold legal duties:

• Duty of care – e.g., using your best judgment, actively participating, paying attention, asking pertinent questions
• Duty of loyalty – e.g., avoiding conflicts of interest, putting aside personal and professional interests, focusing on that which is in the best interests of the entire organization
• Duty of obedience – e.g., staying true to the organization’s mission, obeying the law (both public and organizational)

Avoid conflicts of interest:

1. Serve the organization as a whole rather than special interest groups.
2. Annually review and sign the conflict of interest policy, disclosing any known or perceived conflicts.
3. Avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest and disclose any unexpected possible conflicts to the board chair in a timely fashion.
4. Maintain independence and objectivity and do what a sense of fairness, ethics, and personal integrity dictate.
5. Never accept or offer favors or gifts from or to anyone who does business with the organization.

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