Position Description

Title:                 Board of Directors Member for Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault  (PAVSA)

Description:      The affairs of the nonprofit organization are vested in the Board of Directors acting collaboratively as the board; the directors form the governing body of the organization.  The Board is responsible for the purpose, programs and public accountability of the nonprofit organization.

Responsibilities:  (Acting as a member of the Board)

1.            Board members and staff engage in a strategic planning session on a biannual basis.

2.            Monitor management:  Hire and support the Executive Director.  Evaluate his/her performance annually.  Oversee the program operation and budget.

3.            Interpret the organization to the community:  Enhance the public image.  Assure financial solvency and assist in raising funds. Participate at some level in the Annual Art Auction (i.e. sell tickets, contact artists, etc), communicate with potential funding sources.

4.           Interpret the community to the organization:  Participate in identifying needs and opportunities.  Individual board members bring special perspective and areas of expertise to the organization.

5.           Attend monthly board meetings; read background information provided each month prior to Board meetings (i.e. financial reports, agenda) and come prepared to discuss information.

6.           Membership on at least one of the committees of the Board.  These committees consist of personnel, nominating, finance, fundraising and program.

Qualifications:

1.            An ability to work as a team player.  A world view which is consistent with the values expressed by the organization’s values and mission statement.

2.            Experience in one or more of the following areas:  education, financial management, fundraising, law, management, marketing, advocacy, personnel or technical abilities related to the nonprofit purpose.

Other Qualifications:

• Ability to constructively participate with other board members.
• Ability to join assertively in the debate of board-level issues.
• Willing to stand behind board policies; willing to support the Executive Director when she/he has acted in compliance with board policies.
• Able to contribute to the representation of the overall diversity of the community that PAVSA serves.
• Has feminist beliefs regarding the stories of women (Feminism is the principle that women should have political, economic and social rights equal to those of men).
• Understands and agrees to agency philosophy statement.

Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)

Roles of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of a nonprofit organization provides continuity for the organization and remains in existence as long as the corporation does.  Individual members of the board form a corporate body which has overall responsibility for the organization.

1.  Budget and Finance

The board approves an annual budget, monitors program expenditures, and determines fiscal control policies for the organization.  Overall responsibility for fiscal accountability rests with the board.  The board hires the auditing firm, receives the audit management letter, and considers recommendations made by the auditing firm.

2.  Planning an Evaluation

The board develops (with staff) and approves the long-range plan for the organization including the organization’s mission and goals.  The board helps determine priorities for long-term directions and monitors implementation of the goals to determine if the organization is meeting its purpose.

3.  Fundraising

The board assures that adequate resources are in place for the organization.  The board approves fundraising methods and goals and participates in fundraising activities.  Generally, board members are expected to contribute to the organization.

4.  Policy-setting

The board determines the organization’s policies.  Policies are broad guidelines that provide a framework for decision-making.  Staff is generally responsible for determining internal operational policies.

5.  Personnel

The board hires the Executive Director; the board is responsible for setting clear performance objectives and for evaluating performance.  The board determines the Executive Director salary scales, benefits, and develops overall organizational personnel policies.

6.  Public Relations

The board communicates with funders, community leaders, and others interested in the organization.  Individual board members play both an informal and a formal public relations role.

7.  Board Continuity and Effectiveness

The board determines the structure of the board and its committees and sets standards for board performance.  In addition, the board implements a self-evaluation at least annually and follows up on ways to strengthen board performance.  The board establishes a Nominations Committee and identifies priorities for board recruitment.  Individual board members may meet with prospective new board members to discuss organizational priorities.  The board schedules regular orientation sessions for new board members and identifies subject areas for the board’s policy manual.

8.  Advising

The board acts as a resource to the Executive Director, offering administrative guidance about various internal strategic directions as well as program areas.