Great City Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Board of Directors:

Meets on 2nd Weds. of even months from 4:00-5:30 pm at SvR Design.

Roles of the Board of Directors (see also Individual Responsibility for Board of Directors members):

1)      Act as a public advocate for Great City’s mission, goals and programs;

2)      Develop the mission and vision for Great City;

3)      Develop, evaluate and monitor the Strategic Plan for Great City

4)      Formulate organizational policies and priorities;

5)      Approve and monitor an annual Work Plan – goals, objectives, outcomes, milestones and timing;

6)      Fulfill fiduciary responsibilities for Great City funds and ensure compliance with all legal requirements;

7)      Direct preparation of the annual budget and monitor execution of the approved annual budget;

8)      Provide leadership in fundraising, event and program execution;

9)      Select the Executive Director and support the Executive Director and his/her staff to achieve Great City objectives.

10)  Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Great City’s non-profit, private and public partners for the benefit of Great City’s mission.

11)  Assure that the by-laws are updated to meet current and projected needs of Great City;

12)  Lead, encourage and support volunteer participation in Great City’s programs events and fundraising;

13)  Elect Board Officers;

14)  Vet Issue Committee recommendations for Great City priorities for the coming year;

15)  Vet the decisions of the Great City committees.

Executive Committee:

Meets 4th Weds. of every month from 12:00-1:00 pm at SvR Design Company

1)      Composed of the Board Officers, Executive Director and other members as set forth in the by-laws;

2)      Acts on behalf of the board, as authorized by the Board and by-laws;

3)      Reviews preparation of the annual Work Plan as prepared by staff and working committees

4)      Prepare charters for special and standing committees that are authorized by the Board;

5)      Provide liaison and guidance to special and standing committees through appropriate Committee Chairs;

6)      Select Board Member Nominating Committee Chair (Chair will then select committee members from Board and staff)

7)      Conduct sensitive personnel issues and all performance, appraisal and pay issues associated with the Executive Director;

8)      Monitor organizational performance in general, and approve and act on recommendations from the Executive Director regarding:

a.       Staffing

b.      Pay and benefits

c.       Office space

d.      Training and equipment needs

e.       Annual budget

9)      Prepare agenda for Board meetings

10)  Recommend issues for Board Action

11)  Review monthly budget execution reports and recommend approval by the Board when requirements are satisfied;

12)  Assure that Great City has a current Policy and Procedures Manual in place that provides:

a.       Policies, principles and detailed guidance for organizational governance and decision making (e.g. transparency, value of volunteers, etc)

b.      Job descriptions for the board, board chair, executive committee, Executive Director,

c.       Board policies including conflict of interest, whistleblower, complaints, ethics, records management, Sexual Harassment Policy, etc

d.      Personnel management guidelines and requirements

e.       Process for ensuring board understanding and buy-in, now and in the future

Executive Director:

1)      Provide overall leadership for Great City

2)      Manage the day-to-day activities and operations of Great City

3)      With the assistance of the Issues Committee, Priority Issue Committees and Board recommend and implement work plans, policies and strategies in support of the mission and vision while ensuring alignment with the values of the organization.

4)      Build organizational capacity via fundraising, staff development, building strategic alliances and other means to fulfill the present and growing demands of Great City.

5)      Work collaboratively with the Board, Committees and volunteers.

6)      Develop strong relationships and effective community outreach tactics to manage the reputation, visibility and messaging of the organization.

7)      Serve as the primary community voice for Great City to the surrounding community.

Attend selected committee meetings and make monthly reports to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Issues Committee:

Meets on 3rd Tuesday of every month from 12:00-1:00 pm at SvR Design Company

Work with Great City to develop a set of Priority Issues for the year and develop a work plan to implement actions to achieve results related to those Priority Issues. The Issues Committee includes Board Members and other voting members as invited by the Board of Directors.

Voting Member’s responsibilities include:

  • Regular meeting attendance
  • Assistance in writing and/or editing an issues position paper. This can be assisted by Great City staff, but is primarily the responsibility of the Issues Committee.
  • Write or edit comments to City Council, DPD, Etc
  • Testify about issues on behalf of Great City
  • Send action alerts to your list
  • Bring Speakers to discuss issues at meetings
  • Inform Issues Committee of relevant issues and tactics
  • Convene and empower Priority Issues Committees
  • Report committee progress and propose issue positions to the Board of Directors.

Advisory Committee:

Meets Annually with the Board of Directors in January to help set priorities for year

Responsibilities Include:

  • Be available to provide advice and assistance to Great City volunteers and staff
  • Attend or otherwise provide input to Annual Planning session

Individual Responsibility for Board of Directors members

Board members are entrusted with the present and future vitality of the Great City. Our job is dynamic, exciting, challenging and rewarding. Our collective effectiveness as a Board is directly the result of our personal conduct when working as a Board Member and our commitment to the betterment of Great City. With that in mind, this document is intended to clearly state how we should operate individually.

Standards of Conduct

  • Expect a high standard of performance from Great City.
  • Put personal interests aside in favor of the greater good-furthering the goals and policies of Great City
  • Avoid conflicts of interests or even the appearance of conflicts of interest that might embarrass or compromise Great City or the Board. Disclose any conflicts of interest in a timely fashion to the Board Chair.
  • Recognize that you are representing Great City and the Board, and conduct yourself in a manner that brings credit to both.
  • Provide leadership through example, commitment, and active involvement.

Doing the Board’s Business

  • You are on the Board because you have unique knowledge, talents or abilities and your regular attendance at Board meetings is essential to the effective conduct of Board business. Your attendance at all Board meetings will be assumed unless extenuating circumstances or illness prevents you from attending. It will be your responsibility to notify Great City’s staff if you cannot attend.
  • Prepare in advance for Board and committee meetings, including retreats. Ask questions and participate actively in discussions consistent with your conscience and convictions. Vote according to your conscience and support the vote of the majority.
  • Present your concerns regarding Great City policy and activities in a constructive and appropriate manner.
  • Work in a collegial manner, but disagree when appropriate in a non-personal manner.
  • Arrive at meetings on time and stay for the full, scheduled time, unless arrangements have been made with the Chair to leave early.
  • Honor the “no surprises” principle, and expect that other Board members will do likewise.
  • Maintain confidentiality of the Board’s executive sessions and publicly speak for the Board only when authorized to do so.
  • Join and actively participate in at least one Great City Committee.
  • Recruit and suggest potential Board members who are clearly women and men of achievement and distinction and who can make significant contributions to the work of the Board.
  • Refrain from imposing requests or demands directly on the Great City staff. Requests for assistance must go through the Executive Director

Support for Board Programs

  • Be a member of Great City member
  • Participate in at least one Great City fundraising event annually
  • Contribute to fundraising events and special campaigns as you are able
  • Respond to the call for Board leadership gifts to the extent that you are able. Fundraising begins at the Board level and 100% participation is the norm. Outside funders look at Board giving as an expression of commitment and dedication; we cannot ask others to contribute when we ourselves are not contributing.
  • Participate in fundraising for Great City programs, consistent with your experience, talents and abilities.
  • Serve as a proponent of Great City through community outreach.
  • Promote Great City membership, goals, needs and programs.