Board Cafe: Sample Job Descriptions for Board Officers

Board Cafe

Sample Job Descriptions for Board Officers

Sample Job Descriptions for Board Officers

PRESIDENT / CHAIR / CHIEF VOLUNTARY OFFICER (CVO)

General: Ensures the effective action of the board in governing and supporting the organization, and oversees board affairs. Acts as the representative of the board as a whole, rather than as an individual supervisor to staff.
Community: Speaks to the media and the community on behalf of the organization (as does the executive director); represents the agency in the community.
Meetings: Develops agendas for meetings in concert with the executive director. Presides at board meetings.
Committees: Recommends to the board which committees are to be established. Seeks volunteers for committees and coordinates individual board member assignments. Makes sure each committee has a chairperson, and stays in touch with chairpersons to be sure that their work is carried out; identifies committee recommendations that should be presented to the full board. Determines whether executive committee meetings are necessary and convenes the committee accordingly.
Executive Director: Establishes search and selection committee (usually acts as chair) for hiring an executive director. Convenes board discussions on evaluating the executive director and negotiating compensation and benefits package; conveys information to the executive director.
Board Affairs: Ensures that board matters are handled properly, including preparation of pre-meeting materials, committee functioning, and recruitment and orientation of new board members.

VICE PRESIDENT / VICE CHAIR

General: Acts as the president/chair in his or her absence; assists the president/chair on the above or other specified duties.
Special Responsibilities: Frequently assigned to a special area of responsibility, such as membership, media, annual dinner, facility, or personnel.
Some organizations choose to make the vice president, explicitly or implicitly, the president-elect.

TREASURER

General: Manages the board's review of, and action related to, the board's financial responsibilities. May work directly with the bookkeeper or other staff in developing and implementing financial procedures and systems.
Reports: Ensures that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board. Regularly reports to board on key financial events, trends, concerns, and assessment of fiscal health.
Finance Committee: Chairs the Finance Committee and prepares agendas for meetings, including a year-long calendar of issues. In larger organizations, a separate Audit Committee may be chaired by a different person.
Auditor: Recommends to the board whether the organization should have an audit. If so, selects and meets annually with the auditor in conjunction with the Finance and/or Audit Committees.
Cash Management and Investments: Ensures, through the Finance Committee, sound management and maximization of cash and investments.

Original publication date: 11/9/1998