R. Harris Board Orientation 1

Local ChapterLeadership Orientation

R. Harris Board Orientation 2

Ground Rules for Serving

Relax and be comfortable. Listen so that your year will be as effective

and powerful as possible. Ask questions as they arise. Think in terms of your role as a board

member; responsible for the well-being and future of your local chapter.

R. Harris Board Orientation 3

The Tools of Governance

The Bylaws Articles of Incorporation Policies & Procedures Strategic Plan Budget for Current Year

R. Harris Board Orientation 4

Board Responsibilities

Determine and understand your local chapter’s mission and purpose.

Follow initiatives from FSNA President.

Manage your local chapter’s resources. Determine, monitor and strengthen programs and

services for your members. Promote professional image. Help recruit new leaders.

R. Harris Board Orientation 5

Practical Steps for Bd. Service Attend all board meetings. Start and end meetings on time. Study and understand FSNA’s mission statement,

both FSNA and local bylaws and policies & procedures.

Prepare for all association meetings by reviewing the agenda.

Treat information and discussions as “confidential.”

R. Harris Board Orientation 6

Practical Steps for Bd. Service Promote your local chapter to others.

Recruit future leaders to help govern the organization.

Stay current on issues and trends impacting the membership.

Get involved in committee work.

Make contributions and assist with fundraising.

R. Harris Board Orientation 7

The Officers

The officers have special duties described in the bylaws & policies and procedures.

R. Harris Board Orientation 8

Role of the President

Serves as chief elected officer of your local chapter.

Presides over all meetings or designates a person to do so.

Appoints committees in accordance with bylaws.

R. Harris Board Orientation 9

Role of the President-Elect

Serves in the absence of the president.

Performs such duties as identified in the bylaws or assigned by the president.

R. Harris Board Orientation 10

Role of the Secretary/Treasurer Monitors the accuracy and timely distribution of

meeting minutes. Oversees all funds and financial records. Oversees preparation of annual budget for

approval. Keeps records of all income and expenses. Performs such duties as identified in the bylaws &

policies & procedures.

R. Harris Board Orientation 11

Financial Responsibilities

The Executive Board approves the proposed budget.

The Executive Board is responsible for reviewing financial reports on a regular basis.

R. Harris Board Orientation 12

Committees

Help the local chapter accomplish the initiatives.

Identify potential leaders.

Serve the interests of subgroups of members.

R. Harris Board Orientation 13

Board Meetings

The Preparation Notice of the meetings need to be distributed

well in advance.

Prepare agenda/make effort to distribute in advance.

Whenever possible, formulate and ask your questions before the meeting.

R. Harris Board Orientation 14

Board Meetings

The Agenda The agenda is prepared with the input of the

President, President-Elect, and Secretary/Treasurer with consideration of current issues, member needs and pending business.

If you have input for the agenda, be sure to provide it to the President well in advance of the meeting.

R. Harris Board Orientation 15

Board Meetings

Minutes Minutes are a legal record of the meetings. They are not a record of side conversations. No audio recordings should be maintained once

the minutes are approved. Secretary should complete minutes and send to

the Board for review in a timely manner. The minutes are to be approved at the next

Board meeting.

R. Harris Board Orientation 16

Board Meetings

The Rules of Order

Procedural rules are used to maintain order at meetings. All persons must be recognized by the chair before

speaking. Time limits may be set on certain topics. When in doubt – refer to Robert’s Rules of Order

and/or Robert’s Rules of Order In Brief

R. Harris Board Orientation 17

Recruiting Leaders

A responsibility of board members is to identify future leaders for both your local chapter and at the state level.

Training programs encourage and help recruit leaders.

Committees and chapters may be a source of future leaders.

R. Harris Board Orientation 18

Board Legal Considerations Duty of Care

Good business judgment at all times. Due diligence in decision making.

Duty of Loyalty Avoid conflicts of interest.

Duty of Obedience Faithful to the mission and goals. Follow the governing documents.

R. Harris Board Orientation 19

Thank You for Serving! The board experience should be a positive one. The board is the caretaker of your local chapter. The board speaks as a whole, no board member

should have more input or authority than others. There are NO dumb questions. Always ask questions as they arise. Thank you for serving on your board!