Board Member (volunteer)

FASD Network of Northern California

Member of the Board of Directors Role & Responsibilities

FASD Network of Northern California’s Mission: To support, inform, and advocate for individuals, families, and communities affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Northern California, and the professionals and providers who serve them.

Board of Directors Purpose: To advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of FASD Network of Northern California in order to advance the organization’s mission, sustainability, and impact.

Board of Directors major responsibilities:

§  Organizational leadership and oversight

§  Promotion of the organization and its mission

§  Outreach and fundraising

§  Productive functioning of the Board of directors, officers, and committees

§  Formulation and oversight of policies and procedures

§  Oversight of program planning and evaluation

§  Review of organizational and programmatic reports

Board members share these responsibilities while acting in the interest of FASD Network of Northern California. A Board member will demonstrate interest in and commitment to the concerns, matters, and issues related to the mission of FASD Network of Northern California. Each member is expected to make recommendations based on their experience, expertise, and vantage point in the community.

Length of term: Two years, which may be renewed with no limit on the number of terms, pending approval of the Board.

Meetings and time commitment:

• The Board of Directors meets quarterly: an Annual Meeting in October, followed by meetings in January, April, and July. Meetings are virtual and typically last 90 minutes.

• Committees of the Board meet an average of four times per year, depending their respective work agenda.
• Board members are asked to attend at least two special events or activities per year.

Expectations of Board members:

Board members are expected to exercise the duties and responsibilities of their positions with integrity, collegiality, and care. This includes:

ü  Make attendance at all meetings of the Board a high priority

ü  Be prepared to discuss the issues and business on the agenda, which includes having read all background material relevant to the topics at hand

ü  Participate on a Board committee or work group

ü  Remain familiar and current with the policies, priorities, procedures, finances, and resource needs of FASD Network of Northern California

ü  Cooperate with and respect the opinions of fellow Board members, and leave personal prejudices out of all Board discussions

ü  Support actions of the Board, even when the Board member personally did not support the action taken

ü  Represent the organization in a positive and supportive manner at all times and in all places

ü  Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by FASD Network of California’s mission, objectives, and programs

ü   Adhere to the Board’s conflict of interest and confidentiality policies, and other policies that specifically apply to Board members

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