A member of the Board of Governors has the following individual responsibilities

  • Attend board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
  • Be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.
  • Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
  • Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.
  • Make a financial contribution to the organization.
  • Inform others about the organization.
  • Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the organization
  • Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field.
  • Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
  • Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
  • Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements.

    Personal characteristics to consider in recommending possible nominees to the Board

  • Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group.
  • Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions, take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, contribute personal and financial resources in a generous way according to circumstances, open doors in the community, evaluate oneself.
  • Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of the organization.
  • Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, concern for your nonprofit’s development, a sense of humor.

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    As an entrepreneur or corporate executive, are you prepared to serve on the AmCham Board of Governors?

    Ten Basic Responsibilities of Not-for-profit Boards

    Three Legal Responsibilities of Not-for-profit Boards

    Individual Not-for-profit Board Member Responsibilities and Characteristics

    Board Members Governance Documents

    •  Code of Ethics

    •  Conflict of Interest Policy, Annual Statement

    •  Board Member Job Description

    •  Board Member Agreement

    Source: BoardSource “Dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations and their boards of directors.”

    BoardSource opened its doors in 1988 as the National Center for Nonprofit Boards with a staff of three and an operating budget of $385,000. Today, BoardSource has grown to a staff size of more than 30 and an annual operating budget of US$ 6.5 million.

    The organization now has 7,000 members, and serves more than 75,000 nonprofit leaders.