BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

Board Member governance in the nonprofit sector is deceptively demanding. A volunteer trustee who cannot read financial statements or challenge a CEO's assumptions leaves the organisation exposed to compliance failures under charity law and bylaw violations that regulators or funders will not overlook. The Board Member role exists to prevent exactly that: holding fiduciary authority over an organisation's strategic direction, financial viability, and policy framework. Few governance seats carry this combination of legal accountability and community visibility at the same time.

As the Board Member, you will exercise fiduciary oversight and strategic leadership for a community-serving nonprofit, approving policy, monitoring financial health, and ensuring alignment with the organisation's governing documents and charitable mission. You will operate as a peer within a volunteer board structure, contributing independent judgement to decisions that shape programs, leadership appointments, and long-term organisational sustainability.

Career Impact: Serving as a Board Member in the nonprofit sector develops the governance fluency, financial literacy, and boardroom credibility that senior leaders and executives carry into for-profit and public-sector roles alike.

Business Impact: The board's collective decisions determine whether an organisation's programs reach the communities they were built to serve, from affordable housing tenants to foster youth aging out of the child welfare system.

Growth Opportunity: Time in this seat accelerates the path toward Board Chair, committee lead, or Executive Director candidacy by building direct experience in CEO oversight, strategic planning, and fiduciary risk management.

• Define the long-term strategic direction of the organisation in alignment with the approved business plan and charitable mission.
• Ensure organisational compliance with governing documents, charity law, company law, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Monitor financial viability and internal controls to confirm the organisation operates within its means and approved objectives.
• Appoint, support, and evaluate the Chief Executive Officer to maintain accountable senior leadership.
• Review and approve organisational policies, bylaw amendments, and resolutions that govern operations and programs.
• Oversee fundraising activities, sponsorship efforts, and program performance to sustain organisational growth.
• Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff on strategic projects that advance the organisation's community impact goals.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive board information and uphold the organisation's values in all public-facing capacities.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public administration, business, law, social services, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of professional experience in governance, organisational leadership, community service, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to strategic planning and steering an organisation or team toward measurable objectives.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit governance principles, fiduciary duty, and adherence to good organisational practice.
• Ability to read and interpret financial reports, board papers, and accounts with sufficient literacy to exercise sound judgement.
• Experience in risk management, policy development, or organisational performance review.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage constructively in board-level discussion.
• Commitment to the mission of the organisation and ability to represent its values as a public ambassador.

• Prior board, trustee, or advisory committee service within a nonprofit, community, or charitable organisation.
• Background in financial management, accounting, or a CPA designation that supports nonprofit financial oversight.
• Familiarity with child welfare, affordable housing, social services, or another direct-service community domain.
• Experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, or community outreach that extends the organisation's reach and resources.

• Board meeting attendance rate, targeting 90% or above across scheduled meetings per year.
• Policy and bylaw resolutions approved per term, reflecting active contribution to governance decisions.
• CEO performance review completion rate, measured against agreed evaluation timelines and criteria.
• Financial oversight participation, tracked by engagement in budget approvals and audit reviews each fiscal year.
• Fundraising and sponsorship contribution, measured by funds secured or relationships cultivated per board cycle.

• Base Salary Range: Unpaid volunteer position; no compensation provided.
• Bonus: Not applicable for volunteer board service.
• Equity: Not applicable.
• Health Benefits: Not provided; role is a volunteer governance position.
• PTO: Not applicable; time commitment is self-managed by the board member.
• Common Perks: Expense reimbursement for travel to meetings, professional development exposure, and leadership networking opportunities within the nonprofit sector.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Consistent with federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws, all applicants for this board position are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the selection process are encouraged to make that need known. Participation on the board is contingent on satisfactory completion of any applicable background screening. All board members must be authorized to work or reside in the United States as required by the organisation's governing jurisdiction.

The Board Member owns the long-term strategic direction of a rural affordable housing association, overseeing governance, compliance, and performance management in support of the business plan. Working closely with fellow board members, this role shapes organisational policy and internal controls that sustain the delivery of high-quality affordable homes across Warwickshire's rural villages.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and set the long-term strategic direction for the organisation in support of the business plan.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for proper governance of the organisation.
• Manage compliance and risk management across the organisation.
• Monitor and manage performance through an appropriate system of internal controls and delegation.
• Approve key policies to allow the organisation to achieve its objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Experience contributing to the development and delivery of strategic vision and objectives, and steering an organisation to meet them.
• Experience of good organisational governance and adherence to good practice.
• Experience undertaking organisational performance review and developing policy in line with organisational objectives.
• Experience in risk management.
• Ability to scrutinise and challenge constructively in a positive manner.
• Passion for providing affordable rural housing for local communities.
• Willingness to maintain knowledge of the housing environment.

Embedded within the Board of Directors of I.M.P.A.C.T. Us Now, the Board Member delivers strategic guidance and fundraising support for a nonprofit serving youths transitioning out of foster care. Working closely with fellow board members, this role advances organisational growth by attending meetings, promoting the mission, and securing sponsorship that sustains service delivery.

Core Functions

• Attend regularly scheduled Board meetings, committee meetings, planning sessions, and special events as needed.
• Assist in establishing and developing realistic short and long-term goals for the organisation.
• Promote and publicise the organisation amongst contacts and networks as a public face of I.M.P.A.C.T. Us Now.
• Contribute creative ideas and strategies to assist in the growth of the organisation.
• Collaborate and network with other board members to establish positive rapport.
• Assist in fundraising efforts and secure sponsorship when possible.
• Serve at least one three-year tenure on the Board of Directors and attend at least 90% of scheduled board meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 2 years of work experience and a proven track record of success in a professional environment.
• Strong financial background such as CPA - a plus.
• Strong management and leadership experience.
• Familiarity with the child welfare and foster care system - a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships, persuading, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of underserved communities and families.

Reporting to the Citizens Advice board, the Board Member ensures organisational compliance with charity law, company law, and relevant legislation while contributing to strategic direction and financial viability. Partnering with trustees and staff, this role safeguards the organisation's values and monitors service standards to ensure local community advice needs are consistently met.

Primary Duties

• Ensure the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and other relevant legislation.
• Contribute actively to the Board's role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance.
• Monitor whether the service meets the standards of Citizens Advice and other regulators and how well advice needs of the local community are being met.
• Ensure the financial viability of the organisation and that it operates within its means and objects.
• Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
• Appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor their performance.
• Work on specific projects with other trustees or staff to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.
• Maintain confidentiality about any sensitive information received in the course of duties as a trustee.

Skills and Qualifications

• A commitment to the aims, principles, and policies of the Citizens Advice service.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement.
• Ability to understand the duties and responsibilities of Board members and employers.
• A sufficient level of literacy and numeracy to understand Board papers, financial reports, and accounts.
• Willingness to participate in the national democratic process which develops Citizens Advice policies.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Non-judgmental approach and respect for views, values, and cultures different from your own.

Sitting at the intersection of community governance and direct social service, the Board Member exercises organisational authority and oversees financials, programs, and fundraising activities for Soul Towne Community Outreach. Operating across quarterly meetings and committee structures, this role votes on bylaw amendments and policy changes that sustain service delivery across food, employment, tutoring, and mentorship programs.

Duties

• Experience in at least one area of service including food bank, clothing closet, job readiness resources, tutoring, or mentorship programs.
• Ability to carry out the organisation's mission in an open-minded and unbiased manner at all times.
• Ability to represent as an ambassador of the organisation's core values at all times.
• Commitment to the vision of the organisation.
• Must reside in North Carolina and be at least 18 years of age.

Experience and Qualifications

• Exercise powers and manage the affairs of Soul Towne Community Outreach under the board's direction.
• Attend regular meetings held a minimum of four times per calendar year.
• Vote on amendments and resolutions to the bylaws and establish and recommend policy changes.
• Oversee all organisational activities including financials, programs, and fundraising activities.
• Serve a one-year term, extendable until a successor has been elected.

A key member of HTW's governing board, the Board Member leads community outreach, strategic planning, and policy approval in support of the organisation's mission, programs, and services. Collaborating across the board and community networks, this role builds working relationships and provides timely feedback that enables HTW to achieve its goals and sustain long-term organisational growth.

Functions

• Serve as a leading ambassador of HTW's mission, programs, and services.
• Regularly attend and prepare for quarterly board meetings and other related meetings.
• Volunteer for and complete assignments thoroughly and on time.
• Prepare and approve necessary organisational policies.
• Participate in community outreach and stay informed about Board matters.
• Participate in the creation of the strategic plan and conduct annual review of the strategic plan.
• Build collegial working relationships with other board members and connections of HTW.
• Respond to requests for feedback or decisions between meetings on time.

Professional Experience

• Past or current engagement on a board - preferred.
• Analytical ability, sound decision-making ability, and strong planning skills.
• Leadership, initiative, integrity, and sensitivity and awareness.
• Ability to organise, monitor work, and collaborate effectively.
• Interest in and willingness to support HTW's goals and objectives.
• Ability to understand financial statements or commitment to learning about nonprofit financial oversight.
• Ability to easily use email and other technology such as cloud services.
• Commitment to open and honest communication.