Board and Staff Responsibilities

Sections of this topic

    Board and Staff Responsibilities

    To help convey who does what regarding board and staff, the following activities are suggested to be done by board, staff or jointly. Ultimately, the responsibility for the various activities depends very much on the life-cycle of the organization — young organizations often have working Boards that are involved in day-to-day activities, while older organizations have Boards that attend exclusively to top-level policies and plans. This document should be reviewed by board members to finalize who they would like to do what among board and staff members.

    The original author of this document is unknown.

    Related Library Topics

    Activity

    Respon-
    sibility

    PLANNING:

    Direct the process of planning Board
    Provide input to long range goals Joint
    Approve long range goals Board
    Formulate annual objectives Staff
    Approve annual objectives Board
    Prepare performance reports on achievement of goals and objectives Staff
    Monitor achievement of goals and objectives Joint

    PROGRAMMING:

    Assess stakeholder (customers, community) needs Staff
    Train volunteer leaders (nonprofits only) Staff
    Oversee evaluation of products, services and programs Board
    Maintain program records; prepare program reports Staff
    Prepare preliminary budget Staff
    Finalize and approve budget Board
    See that expenditures are within budget during the year Staff
    Solicit contributions in fundraising campaigns (nonprofits) Board
    Organize fundraising campaigns (nonprofits) Staff
    Approve expenditures outside authorized budget Board
    Insure annual audit of organization accounts Board

    PERSONNEL:

    Employ Chief Executive Board
    Direct work of the staff Staff
    Hire and discharge staff member Staff
    Decision to add staff (nonprofit) Board
    Settle discord among staff Staff

    COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

    Interpret organization to community Board
    Write news stories Staff
    Provide organization linkage with other organizations Joint

    BOARD COMMITTEES:

    Appoint committee members Board
    Call Committee Chair to urge him/her into action Board
    Promote attendance at Board/Committee meetings Joint
    Recruit new Board members Board
    Plan agenda for Board meetings Joint
    Take minutes at Board meetings Joint
    Plan and propose committee organization Joint
    Prepare exhibits, material and proposals for Board and Committees Staff
    Sign legal documents Board
    Follow-up to insure implementation of Board and Committee decisions Staff
    Settle clash between Committees Board

    Return to Overview of Board Roles and Responsibilities


    For the Category of Boards of Directors:

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