Sample non-profit board member job description

When your nonprofit was established, the founding board members determined the structure of nonprofit board positions and their associated responsibilities to ensure good governance.

Governance is a system of rules, principles, and protocols that outline how to run a nonprofit. Nonprofits demonstrate good governance when multiple people are involved in decision-making. Collectively, your board should bring together all the necessary skills to ensure robust nonprofit governance.

Today, gender, demographics, and cultural diversity are essential characteristics to consider when recruiting and choosing board members.

This article will cover four key areas that help form a capable, effective nonprofit board:

How nonprofit board positions are structured
Roles and responsibilities of a board of directors
The importance of job descriptions for board positions in a nonprofit
Next steps: How to recruit the right candidates for a nonprofit

How to Structure Nonprofit Board Positions

The board’s primary role of overseeing the nonprofit’s affairs and activities must be considered when setting up or altering the structure for nonprofit board positions. Unlike managerial roles, the board doesn’t get involved in managing the organization’s daily activities and this must also be a consideration.

By design, nonprofit board positions aren’t intended to be permanent. BoardSource, a global network of nonprofit leaders, recommends nonprofits having term limits. According to their most recent Leading with Intent report, just over 87% of nonprofit board positions have term limits. Nonprofit boards commonly structure board positions with three-year terms, and they allow board members to serve two terms consecutively.

It’s generally best to stagger board terms to eliminate the risk of an entire board turning over simultaneously. The BoardEffect platform supports the board development cycle for each nonprofit board position and your nonprofit’s goals of recruitment and

Sample Board Member Job Description

It can be challenging to find and recruit the right candidates for your board. Use this sample board member job description to set expectations for individuals and the board as a whole. Or share with your board as you begin your recruitment process.

Responsibilities of the Board

The mission of [insert organization name] is to [insert mission].

As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for

determining the mission of the organization and understanding its collective purpose
selecting, supporting, and evaluating the performance of the chief executive
strategic and organizational planning
ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management
fundraising and resource development
approving and monitoring the organization’s programs and services
enhancing the organization’s public image
assessing its own performance as the governing body of the organization
ensuring legal and ethical integrity

Responsibilities of Individual Board Members

Each individual board member is expected to

know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs as well as understand its collective purpose
faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements and board materials in advance of meetings
serve as active advocates and ambassadors for the organization
fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for the organization to advance its mission
leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action to achieve the organization’s mission
give a meaningful personal financial donation
help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing, and influence public policy
prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings
participate fully in one or more committees or taskforce

Nonprofit board job descriptions template

Board Roles and Responsibilities

Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.

One of the most important responsibilities for many boards is to hire and set the compensation of a talented CEO/executive director to run the day-to-day management activities of the organization, and then to provide supervision and evaluation of the CEO.

When there are paid staff in place, rather than steer the boat by managing day-to-day operations, board members provide foresight, oversight, and insight: think of them as up in the crow's nest scanning the horizon for signs of storms or rainbows to explore, perhaps with a pot of gold at the end! Yes, board members - your role as stewards of the nonprofits DOES involve fundraising. And...at the National Council of Nonprofits we are big promoters of the important role board members play as advocates for the nonprofit's mission.

Did you know?

The vast majority of board members for charitable nonprofits serve as volunteers without any compensation.
Arguably the most important policy for a board to adopt is a policy addressing conflicts of interest.
A common question: Should your nonprofit's CEO also be a board member? Yes, according to BoardSource, the national leader on nonprofit governance practices: “The chief executive’s input in board meeting deliberation is instrumental and invaluable for informed decision making. However, to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest, questions concerning accountability, or blurring the line between oversight and execution, chief executives should be non-voting members of the board, unless not permitted by law.” See Recommended Governance Practices from BoardSource,“LP7”.
There's a difference

Board member titles for nonprofit

Sample board member job description

Board Job Descriptions

Society for Nonprofits

Society for Nonprofits is a leading resource for nonprofit professionals and has been helping nonprofit leaders increase their knowledge and grow the capacity of their organizations for more than 30 years. Just like our membership, we are mission driven. We strive to close gaps in knowledge, develop stronger nonprofit leaders and grow the capacity of nonprofit organizations.

Board Members At-Large

Description

Society for Nonprofits board of directors is comprised of at least three (3) members and no more than nine (9) members. Meetings occur at least three (3) times per year. Remaining legal requirements of the Board of Directors are listed in the organizational bylaws.

Society for Nonprofits’ Board of Directors is the governing body, overseeing vision, mission, and internal operations of the organization. Society for Nonprofits Board members are elected for two-year terms. Board members hold overall fiscal and managerial oversight responsibility for Society for Nonprofits. They are charged with the supervision and oversight of Society for Nonprofits’ mission. They are responsible for making decisions, delegating work, and assuring decisions are carried out in the manner intended. Ultimately, board members serve as ambassadors for Society for Nonprofits’ mission, inside and outside of organizational commitments.

Ten Basic Board Roles and Responsibilities:

Determine mission and purposes. It is the board’s responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents served.
Select the chief executive. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive’s responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.
Support and evaluate the chief executive. The board should ensure that the chief executive has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further th