Parnell Intermediary Services, Inc.: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tanya Wilborne LBSW, Director

T.R. Parnell Mediator, C.A.R.T., U.S. Army Veteran, Chair & CEO

Juanita Lewis LVN, Director

Joanne Giustini BS.Ed., Director

Darnell Carter Jr. U.S. Army, Vice-chair & COO

North Carolina

Germany

North Carolina

Texas

Jennifer J. Hendricks BS. Psy., Director

Kim Wagon, Secretary

New York

John Smith M.D., Director

Florida

Brian Jackson Ph.D., Director

California

Board Members of Nonprofits have Important Responsibilities
As the nonprofit sector has grown to accommodate a wide range of voluntary endeavors, millions of people have been given an
opportunity to serve on the boards of nonprofit organizations. Serving as a board member is one of the most challenging and rewarding
volunteer experiences.

An effective decision-making board can strengthen a nonprofit organization in many different ways: perform some of the tasks of the
organization, support the organization's work in the community, bring necessary resources for better performance, advise the
organization on legal or other matters and help with fund raising.

While appointment or election to a board is an honor, board members have important duties and responsibilities requiring time
commitment, particular skills, talents and resources. The responsibilities fall into five fundamental areas.

Establishing the Organization's Mission, Vision and Direction
Every nonprofit organization needs to have a clear and agreed upon mission statement. Board members should invest their time and
energy in developing mission and vision statements. The mission is the fundamental statement of why the organization exists, the style in
which it will operate, the community it will serve and the variety of people who are its members.

According to Jerry Cronin in "Organizational Mission and Values" (1985), the well-developed mission and vision statements will have the
following benefits:

		Enable the board to define the "business of the organization" so all of its energy can be spent in pursuit of compatible results.
		Enable to define funding sources compatible with the mission of the organization.
		Enable the board to decide how to spend resources so budgets can be tied to the most critical results the organization wants to
		achieve.
		Enable the board to make decisions about which programs and projects to undertake and which to avoid.
		Enable the organization to develop its planning with action steps.

A side benefit of developing mission and vision statements is the process of development. It will cause the board members to begin to form closer bonds, share expectations about the future of their organization and understand the differences in points of view among
board members. Such differences may well explain weak support and commitment of some board members. These differences may be
resolved as mission/vision statements are developed and the board members have internalized the statements.

Ensuring the Financial Stability of the Organization
As a rule, nonprofit organizations face financial vulnerability. The board is responsible for the availability of adequate financial resources
for the work of the organization. Boards are often thought to have only policymaking responsibility; however, board responsibilities are
much broader.

In terms of financial management, the board should consider the following financial responsibilities to the organization:

		Approving and developing the annual budget.
		Developing financial controls and procedures.
		Establishing and monitoring financial record keeping system.
		Ensuring financial reporting systems are in place.
		Monitoring revenue and expenditures of the organization.

In order to insure there are adequate financial resources, the board may be involved in planning fundraising campaigns by:

		Establishing fund-raising targets, based on the needs of the organization.
		Developing fund-raising goals, objectives and action steps.
		Recruiting champions and volunteers.

Financial management, however, should not be considered an end in itself. It is really a tool, means, for accomplishing the program priorities set by the board and organization's management; when implemented well, it strengthens the overall ability of the organization to
meet its mission and vision goals.

Ensuring the Existence of Sufficient and Appropriate Human Resources
The board is the legal employer of all staff and is responsible for the working conditions in the organization. Accordingly, the board should
understand its responsibility as an employer and develop all the necessary tools for effective management of its employees and
volunteers:

		Appropriate personnel policies have been adopted by the board and are followed by the management.
		There is a position classification and salary schedule policy for the organization.
		Affirmative action and non-discrimination policies have been adopted and enforced throughout the organization.
		A current job description exists for each position.
		Appropriate training is obtained for staff on a regular basis.
		Appropriate use is made of volunteers.
		All personnel are evaluated at least annually.

Supervising Organizational Operations
One of the most neglected aspects of the board's roles is overseeing organizational operations. This is accomplished by meeting the legal requirements of the organization, monitoring and evaluating of the organization's performance and personnel, and ensuring the
board itself works effectively.

The board's roles in the oversight of organizational operations are:

		Establishing board policies on evaluation and oversight.
		Design of assessment and monitoring system.
		Achieving early problem recognition.
		Being proactive and anticipating problems.
		Ensuring the utilization of information from the assessment for program and organizational improvement. As well, a basic
		responsibility of the board is to ensure its own renewal and development. The board development cycle illustrated below is one way of describing the key steps in the process:

		Developing a board profile.
		Recruiting and selecting new members.
		Election and re-election of board officers.
		Orientation for new board members.
		Ongoing support and recognition.
		Training and development.

Ensuring Effective Community Relations
Effective public relations can give an organization visibility and connections in the community, and can provide community support for the activities of the organization. One of the major goals of any public relations effort for a nonprofit organization is the organization's ability to
attract voluntary support. There is not a nonprofit organization in existence that does not need volunteers, their skills, time and efforts.

The effective community relations of any nonprofit organization begin with development of the board. Board members are selected for
their particular interest in the organization and their ability to positively influence others in the community.

Boards need to ensure they are responding effectively and efficiently to the changing needs in their community. Developing marketing
and public relations strategies to promote awareness of the organization in the community is essential. Boards are also becoming more
involved in collaborative efforts with other organizations.

The board should ensure:

		The community is aware of the mission/vision of the organization.
		There is agency representation in the community, with government and other funding agencies.
		The membership receives information on programs and services.
		There are clear principles and objectives to guide any collaboration with other agencies.
		An awareness of the organization is developed in the community.