The affairs of BBBS are managed by the Board of
Directors. The primary roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors are
governance, strategy, and resource
development. The “governance” role requires that the Board hire and hold
the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana Executive Director accountable and
ensure the Board’s and BBBS to all ethical, legal, fiduciary, and regulatory
requirements. The “strategy” role requires that the Board advise, review, and
approve the strategic plan for BBBS, agree upon goals and monitor achievement.
The “resource development” role requires that the Board set minimum “give and
get'' fundraising expectations and be capable of and willing to advocate for
and provide access to significant resources.![]()
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Minimum Membership Expectations
● Possess an interest in the agency’s service
goals.
● Specific experience or knowledge in at least one
of the following areas: Human Resources, Planning, Finance, Community
Relations, or Organizational Operations.
● Representative of some aspect or segment of the
population in the community.
● Within the first 60 days of service, and as required by BBBSA's Standards of Practice, complete the following onboarding courses:
1. Fundamentals of Youth Protection
2. Cultural Humility Training (wither BBBSA's Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion( JEDI): An Orientation, or an equivalent)
● A willingness to expand knowledge of Board
responsibilities through orientation and on-going education.
● Attend all Board meetings, including the Annual
Meeting and all assigned committee meetings.
● Review minutes of the last Board meeting prior to
the meeting for content, accuracy, etc.
● Determine if a report is to be made to the Board
and prepare accordingly.
● Give expertise, energy, ideas, and leadership to
the committee.
● Learn about the organization, support the
programs of the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency, and promote BBBS within the
community.
● Participate in resource development for the
organization.
● Be active in Board-sponsored fundraisers.
● Utilize personal contacts, expertise, and other
individual avenues to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
● Be willing to offer leadership to the
organization as needed.
● Renew annually your commitment to the agency
through the Board Member Self-Evaluation and signing the Board Member Statement
of Understanding.
Board Member Fundraising
100% Board Giving is essential. As organizational leaders, Board Members
have the responsibility of setting an example for giving and creating a culture
that promotes generosity. 100% participation indicates that each board member
has a strong commitment to the organization and its mission.
Board giving has a direct impact on others
supporting the organization and it’s organizational health. Appeals to donors
are strengthened and more convincing if a board member can explain the reasons
to support the organization and doing so annually. In addition, many
foundations only contribute to organizations where every board member is a
contributor. By showing that a board is fully invested, doors open to outsiders
who may be willing and prepared to support the nonprofit.
It is an expectation of membership that Board
members will raise (or give) a minimum of $1,000 annually. Board Members are
expected to give a personal financial gift at a level that is meaningful
to them and reflective of their circumstances and other commitments. Personal gift amounts are confidential. Your
personal gift will be counted as a part of the “Give or Get” amount. As a part
of this “Give or Get” expectation, it is expected that Board members will
solicit financial or in-kind support of others for the organization.
Board giving is distinct and in addition to
supporting of the agency’s special events. It is expected that Board members
participate in the organization’s two special events as follows:
● Wine Women & Shoes: Sell or
purchase a VIP table of 8 ($1,500), sell or purchase two Girlfriends’ Packages
(4 tickets at $500) or secure a Sponsorship.
● Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Sell or purchase
a table of 8 ($800) or secure a Sponsorship
Board Member
Responsibilities
Planning: Board members have three key
responsibilities in this area:
1)
Setting and reviewing the organization’s
mission/philosophy and goals.
2)
Planning for the organization’s future on a
long-range and short-range basis.
3)
Deciding and planning which services and
programs the organization provides.
Finance: Board members have four key
responsibilities in this area:
1) Ensuring financial accountability of the
organization and internal controls.
2) Overseeing an on-going process of budget
development, approval, and review.
3) Raising funds and ensuring that adequate funds
are raised to support the organization’s policies and programs.
4) Managing and maintaining properties or
investments that the organization possesses.
Community
Relations: Board members have four key responsibilities in
this area:
1) Ensuring that the organization’s programs and
services appropriately address community and client needs.
2) Marketing the organization’s services and
programs.
3) On-going public relations, with the awareness
that Board members are always emissaries of the organization in the community.
4) Cooperative action, which includes occasions
when the organization could or should take part in coalitions, joint
fundraising, and the like.
Human Resources: Board members have four key
responsibilities in this area:
1) Board membership, which includes the recruiting
of new board members, recognizing and nurturing existing Board members, and
providing existing Board members with opportunities to grow and develop as
leaders.
2) Board member’s accountability, which includes
hiring and on-going annual evaluation of the Executive Director.
3) Personnel policies, which includes providing
policy guidance about salaries, benefits, and grievance procedures.
4) Volunteer involvement, which include setting
policy regarding how volunteers should be utilized, in what areas, and
generally how the organization should treat, recognize, and celebrate its
volunteers.
Organizational
Operations: Board
members have four key responsibilities in this area:
1)
Ensuring that the organization’s administrative
systems are adequate and appropriate.
2)
Ensuring that the board’s operations are
adequate and appropriate.
3)
Ensuring that the organizational and legal
structure is adequate and appropriate.
4)
Ensuring that the organization and its Board
member meet all applicable legal requirements.