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Board Member Expectations


Members of the Board of Directors are collectively responsible for ensuring effective governance, maintaining financial wellness, and setting the strategic direction of the CNVC. Board members act as decision makers, developing policies to govern operations and monitoring the organization’s performance. 

Board members work in partnership with the Executive Director to accomplish the goals outlined below as well as have the same responsibilities as a Board Member of any U.S.-based nonprofit corporation.

Responsibilities

1. Governance Infrastructure

  • Review legal compliance issues with attorney specializing in nonprofit law in the State of Texas
  • Develop and adopt additional governance policies as needed

2. Membership

  • Develop definition of CNVC “membership” including rights and responsibilities
  • Design process for inclusion and engagement of “members” in organizational decision-making

3. Executive Director

  • Maintain a written contract with the Executive Director that confirms their responsibilities, areas of authority, and compensation.

4. Financial

  • Assess CNVC’s financial situation and develop a plan to ensure solvency.
  • Develop and adopt financial policies providing for effective management of CNVC resources, internal controls, and proper reporting to board and members
  • Ensuring sufficient resources
  • Engage in fundraising as needed to ensure CNVC operates “in the black."

Legal and Fiduciary Role of the Board

  • Maintain and promote high ethical standards in making good-faith decisions while avoiding actual or perceived conflicts of interest with other activities or organizations.
  • Commit time, thought, and effort to establishing goals and priorities for the Center for Nonviolent Communication, developing good governance policies, defining program outcomes, and monitoring their effectiveness.
  • Comply with the state and federal laws governing nonprofit corporations.
  • Accept responsibility for the Center for Nonviolent Communication fiscal accountability: know the budget and take an active part in reviewing, approving, and monitoring it, together with fundraising.
  • Assure the confidentiality of board discussions and records.
  • Avoid all direct or indirect intervention in campaigns supporting or opposing candidates for public office in the name of Center for Nonviolent Communication or when using Center for Nonviolent Communication assets.

Specific Duties of Board Members

  • Attend and actively participate in regular meetings, as well as board planning sessions, and board development workshops (about one per year).
  • Notify the board administrator whenever another commitment or illness will prevent attendance at a meeting.
  • Be informed and prepared for meetings, including reviewing all financial documents and other meeting materials.
  • Contribute skills, knowledge, and experience and strive to communicate effectively.
  • Respect and listen carefully to differing opinions and viewpoints.
  • Be accessible and responsive by phone, text messaging, and/or email to the Executive Director and other Board Members as needed.
  • Support all decisions made by the Board and represent the Center for Nonviolent Communication in a positive light to the public.
  • Maintain a current CT relationship with the Center for Nonviolent Communication.

CNVC'S Commitments to Board Members

  • Board members will receive without request: ample notice of all meetings, minutes of all board meetings, regular financial reports, and any other information relevant to upholding their responsibilities.
  • Board officers and staff will respond in a straightforward and thorough fashion to any questions board members have and feel are necessary to carry out their fiscal, legal, or moral responsibilities to this organization.
  • Directors and Officers Liability Insurance will be provided, and to the extent allowed by law, indemnification from liability for reasonable and necessary actions will be offered.
  • Board members will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses in conducting and attending to Center for Nonviolent Communication board business, to the extent provided for in its Bylaws.
  • Board members’ time will be respected and effort will be made to use each person’s talent effectively.

Qualifications

  • Committed to the mission of CNVC
  • Able to commit to carrying out the responsibilities described above as a volunteer.
  • Committed to attend board meetings as an average of every other week, and do work in between.
  • Previous experience with one or more nonprofit or similar organizations, as staff or as a board member
  • Fluent in English
  • Fill a unique role in a well-rounded board that is diverse in skills and experience, race, gender, age, and aiming towards representation of regional and global demographics. 

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