Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees
Adopted:

a) Determine the Organization’s Mission and Purpose
Setting the fundamental direction and defining the purpose of the organization is the most important role of the Trustees.  This is an ongoing process as the organization reacts to changes in its constituency and environment.

b) Provide Proper Financial Oversight
The oversite of the organization’s financial resources is a primary function of the Board of Trustees (BOT).  Typically, this oversight is provided through review and approval of the annual budget.  In addition, the BOT should adopt financial policies and procedures, monitor financial performance, assure that appropriate controls are in place and require an annual audit or financial review.

c) Ensure Adequate Resources
Providing adequate resources is first and foremost a Trustee responsibility.  The Trustees can carry out this responsibility by financially supporting the organization, securing donors for the organization’s programs, attending and supporting organization programs, and supporting its activities, calling on and sharing vendor and supplier contacts for sponsorships and volunteering time to support organization events.

d) Ensure Legal and Ethical Integrity and Maintain Accountability
The Trustees are responsible for the legal and ethical integrity of the organization and maintains accountability to those responsibilities. Trustees carry out this responsibility by assuring that clear policies are adopted that define accountability and legal and ethical behavior by Trustees and staff.  Trustees also ensure the organization acts consistently within its bylaws, articles of incorporation and IRS regulations.

e) Ensure Effective Organizational Planning
The Trustees assures that a planning and monitoring process is in place to guide the organization and maintain accountability in achieving its mission and purpose.

f) Recruit and Orient New Trustees and Assessing Trustee Performance
Trustees generally are self-sustaining in that they recruit members to fill vacancies on the BOT and its committees, and perpetuate the governance of the organization.  Defining criteria for Trustees participation on the Board, assessing the needed for skills and talent within a Trustee, identifying and recruiting new Trustees to vacancies, and assessing Boards performance are all Trustee responsibilities.

g) Enhance the Organization’s Public Standing
The Trustee serves as a key link between the organization and its donors, the public, government and other constituencies.  Not only should Trustees be ambassadors for the organization, they should see that the organization’s mission and accomplishments are communicated to its various constituencies.

h) Determine, Monitor, and Strengthen the Organization’s Programs and Services
Trustees are key to assessing overall organization performance and relevance to its mission.  Given limited resources, Trustees also play a key role in setting priorities and determining how organizational resources should be allocated to carrying out the mission.