BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTIONS

In order to find and recruit the right candidates for your nonprofit board, it’s important to have board member job descriptions to set expectations for individuals and the board as a whole. Below are sample descriptions for support in developing them.

See Guide to Nonprofit Board Service in Oregon for Board Roles and Responsibilities published by the Oregon DOJ. You can download pdf copies or order printed copies of the red booklets for free. It is recommended that all board members receive this guide to support them in their vital governance and fiduciary role.

Board Source
Board Member Job Description Template

NEO Law Group
Duties of the President and/or Chair of the Board
Duties of the Secretary
Duties of the Treasurer


BOARD COMMITTEES

Nonprofit boards typically set up a few standing committees and charge them with fulfilling certain duties all year long. Boards generally assign a committee chair and add to the committee with some combination of volunteers, employees, board members and outside experts.

Boards should first analyze the entire structure of the board and determine whether a particular committee would add value.

Board Committee Charters – Stanford Law School
Common Types of Standing Committees – BoardEffect


Executive Committees
An executive committee is one of the most common board committees. The role of an executive committee, similar to all committees, is to help the board accomplish its work in the most efficient way. As the name implies, an executive committee has special responsibilities and authorities above all committees. Its main purpose is to facilitate decision making between board meetings or in urgent and crisis circumstances. It often also acts as the communication link to the chief executive and, in some cases, performs the chief executive’s performance evaluation.

Executive Committee – BoardSource


Board Advisory Councils
Many nonprofits employ advisory councils — a collection of individuals who advise and support the governance work of the board or the management tasks carried out by staff. Well-conceived and well-executed advisory councils can be very beneficial.

  •  They can provide specialized expertise that may be lacking in your nonprofit.
  • Their members can be ambassadors in your community and connect you to a greater constituency.
  • They can perform important duties, such as fundraising, advocacy, and program evaluation.
  • Their members can be candidates to fill future board seats.

Advisory Councils – BoardSource


Free Board Training for NAO Members
Through NAO’s Board Bright Series, free board training is offered for NAO members. Training is provided in a biannual virtual series designed for emerging and seasoned board members and anyone looking for a governance refresh. Sessions focus on roles and responsibilities, finance fundamentals, fundraising, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB).