Being a board member can be a rewarding way to make a contribution to your community and beyond. It's a way to share your knowledge and expertise and gain valuable skills as well as life experiences at the same time. However, before you decide to invest your time and energy, it is important to understand what is involved in becoming a board member.

Getting started

• What is a board?
• Typical duties of a board
• Types of boards

Responsibilities of a board member

Although responsibilities can vary slightly depending on the nature and focus of a particular board the following responsibilities are fairly consistent:

Attending scheduled meetings

• Be prepared for meetings
• Be knowledgeable about the organization (i.e. vision, mission, goals)
• Be prepared to ask difficult questions
• Complete assigned tasks

Establish leadership

• Ensure work of the organization is completed
• Contribute to the establishment of policies that govern the organization
• Ensure organization has funds required to operate
• Ensure funds are spent in the best interest of the organization

Contribute to problem-solving

Contribute to establishment of Policies

• Develop strategies to ensure success of the organization
• Ensure comprehensive policies are in place that will help govern the organization
• Develop or support existing financial policies
• Comply with existing laws/requirements with respect to reporting and auditing
• Ensure a sound financial framework is in place to support and/or adhere to budget constraints