Joining the board of trustees for a small, non-profit can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to get to know people and give back to society. That said, it’s a good idea to take on the responsibilities and potential liabilities of board membership with your eyes open. Here is a list of 20 basic questions to ask yourself and the Chair of the board before you join.
- What is the written objective of the organization?
- What exactly will my responsibilities be and what will the time commitment be?
- What is the compensation, or cost, for board membership?
- Where can I get a copy of the most recent version of the bylaws?
- When were the bylaws last reviewed and amended?
- Are all members of the Board generally familiar with the bylaws and does the Chair keep a copy at hand during meetings? Or are the bylaws basically ignored?
- Going through the bylaws, which of the requirements in the bylaws have been fulfilled in the last two years (such as creating and adhering to a budget, having the books audited, holding Board meetings as scheduled, etc.)? Can I see a copy of the budget, audit report, etc?
- Doest the Board carry insurance?
- Is the Treasurer bonded?
- Does the Board keep proper minutes?
- For the decisions made over the past year or two, does each demonstrably support the objective of the organization?
- Do Board members routinely recuse themselves from votes if there is any sign of conflict of interest?
- Are there members of the Board who routinely fail to attend meetings?
- What is the skill set brought to the board by each member and are there any skill sets missing?
- Do Board members generally come prepared to the meetings?
- What recent proposals were approved by the Board?
- What recent proposals were turned down by the Board?
- Are votes always unanimous or are there signs of healthy dissent?
- Does the Board review and meet regulatory requirements, such as public notice?
- Can I sit in on a meeting before joining?