Mutual expectations for WIN Board members

The mission of the WIN is to connect agents of positive change to cultivate and amplify women’s influence and shape a vibrant community.

As you consider this opportunity, please familiarize yourself with this list of mutual expectations: 

As a Board Member — 

1. I will interpret the organization’s work and values to the community, and promote the organization. 

2. I will attend at least 75% of board meetings, committee meetings, and events.

3. I will make a financial contribution at a level that is meaningful to me. This may include in-kind donations and services from myself, my business, or my organization.

4. I will actively participate in one or more fundraising activities.  

5. I will lead or actively participate in one or more standing or activity-oriented committees. 

6. I will act in the best interests of the organization, and excuse myself from discussions and votes where I  have a conflict of interest. I will complete, and keep up to date, the WIN Conflict of Interest form.

7. I will take seriously the major legal responsibilities of serving on a board, including and especially the  fiduciary role. 

8. I will stay informed about what’s going on in the organization. I will ask questions and request information.  I will participate in and take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies, and other board matters.  

9. I will work in good faith with other board members, staff, and volunteers as partners towards achievement of our goals. I will respond in an honest, straightforward fashion to questions that will assist in carrying out fiscal, legal, and ethical responsibilities of this organization. 
   

From the Women’s Influence Network — 

1. I will receive an orientation to the board. 

2. I will be sent quarterly financial reports and an update of organizational activities that allow me to act as a “prudent person” in my legal responsibilities as a board member.  

3. Opportunities will be offered to me to discuss with the Board Chair or Vice-chair the organization’s programs, goals, activities, and status; additionally, I can request such opportunities.  

4. The organization will help me perform my duties by keeping me informed about issues in the community in which we are working, and by offering me opportunities for board member development.

5. Fellow board members will respond in an honest and straightforward fashion to questions I have that I feel are necessary to carry out my fiscal, legal, and ethical responsibilities to this organization. Fellow board members will work in good faith with me towards achievement of our goals.  

6. If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to me, I can call on the Board Chair to discuss these responsibilities. 

For Your Reflection 

As you consider joining the board, here are some questions to consider. *You may find more information at womensinfluencenetwork.org and reach out to the Board Chair at hello@womensilnfluencenetwork.org for additional information.

Is WIN the right cause and organization for me? 

Approach this decision as if you were planning to make a major donation of time or money: you would probably begin by thinking of areas where you have strong feelings – perhaps care for the elderly, or civil rights, or the elimination of poverty. After settling on a subject area, you might then learn about several different organizations working in that field, and research several. Only after you were fully satisfied would you make the donation. 

As you consider joining a board, first ask yourself whether you truly feel strongly about the type of work the organization does and the people it serves. Since, as a board member, you’ll be investing time and energy, and possibly money, ask yourself whether the organization is one you would invest in. 

Can I work with this agency and this board at this particular stage in its - and my - life? 

At one time in an organization’s life, board service may be fairly smooth with a few bumps, while at another time,  board service may involve a hair-raising roller coaster ride (of course, an unexpected event can throw any board for a loop). What type of board seems right for you right now? What about the diversity of the board; does it represent the stakeholders in the community? You may want a board that really lets you roll up your sleeves and get to work with the other board members, or you may want a board that is stable and can let you learn about board work in a deliberate way. Consider whether you can commit at this time to the responsibilities of being a board member of this organization.

What can I, and what will I, contribute to this organization? 

What skills, contacts, and perspectives do I have that will be useful to this organization? How, specifically, will the  board use what I can bring? Often as board members, we find that some of our talents and contacts never seem to  get utilized by the boards we’re on. Perhaps you gave up a music career for accounting, or have writing skills that are not used at your job. Perhaps your network includes dozens of influential community leaders. Consider first what you bring to the table, and then, whether you are willing to share that with the organization. Look, too, for vehicles for your skills; if you can’t see a specific vehicle (work on an event, help market a service, work with the Treasurer), your desire to contribute may go unfulfilled. 

Ask yourself: 

Do I believe in this organization enough to introduce my friends to it?

Can I make a commitment to attend at least 75% of all meetings and events? Am I willing to give up one or more mornings or evenings a month? Am I willing to make a donation? Can I volunteer with other board members at other times than meeting dates?  Would I feel comfortable having my name on their letterhead, website, or in their brochure? The right time to ask  these questions is before you have joined the board. 

This final question is one that potential candidates should ask themselves and one that active board members should periodically re-examine during their board service: 

What do I want to get out of being on this board? 

An all-too-common experience for board members at the end of their term(s) is a feeling that they didn’t, after all, really get deeply involved and don’t, as a result, feel that they either contributed as much or got as much as they had hoped when they first joined. Board members who plan and ask for what they want in their board experience will contribute more and gain more. For example, if you don’t have a finance background but wish you knew more  about finance, consider asking to be appointed to a financial task force. If there’s a community leader on another  committee who you would love to get to know, ask to be on that committee, and put in the time to be sure you get  to know all the members well. If one of your reasons for joining the board was to meet new people, volunteer to  help in any way that makes sense.