“Keepers of the Mission, Guardians of the Values”

Becoming a Board Member

Potential new board members will be expected to:

• Think about your own passions and interests, and how they relate to the organization
• Complete a Matrix & Personal Bio
• Sign a board member contract or letter of commitment showing understanding of Board expectations

Being a Board Member

Board members are expected to:

• Complete a board member orientation by provision of a binder of info, an orientation meeting or both.
• Have a thorough understanding of the Mission, Vision and Core Values as well as familiarity with the program offerings of the organization. A little time surfing the is highly recommended.
• Promote and build positive community relations for REACH, its mission, and programs, by pitching Reach to colleagues, customers, friends, groups, potential donors, and other contacts to which you have access in the community and beyond.
• Ensure adequate resources by contributing financially, asking others for contributions, and/or providing pro-bono service and volunteer time.
• Attend and participate in board meetings and serve on at least one board committee.
• Maintain good communication with REACH Executive Director and other Board Members. Timely responses to e-mails or phone calls, follow through with commitments, etc.
• Volunteer at and/or attend as many REACH special events and fundraisers as possible.
• Ensure that actions relating to and by REACH are ethical, legal and are in the best interest of the community.
• Ensure that REACH is compliant with all governmental regulations and requirements.
• General support, encouragement and advisement for the Executive Director.

Being a Board

There are 5 fundamental responsibilities for which the board has a fiduciary charge:

1. Ensuring that the mission is pursued
2. Hiring and evaluating the chief staff executive
3. Overseeing the organization’s finances (from a board, not staff, perspective)
4. Program oversight and support
5. Fund development

Board Meetings 

Full Board Meetings:
These will take place every other month being February, April, June, August, October, December. A December meeting may be deemed unnecessary per board decision. There is also an Annual Meeting in October for approval of the proposed following year budget and election of the Board Officers.

Currently (2008 - 2009) Board Meetings are being held the first Tuesday of the month, 8:00 p.m. either at the Brinkman household, or at Reach Studio.

Board Committee Meetings:
These will take place during the off months being January, March, May, July, September and November.  Meetings amy occur more often if deemed necessary by individual committees.

Current Board Committees 

• Executive Committee (Board Officers and Executive Director)
  • Policy & procedure drafting and recommendations
  • Personnel & program
  • Financial reporting and budget development
  • Board recruitment, oversight and nomination of officers
• Fund Development
  • Planning and implementing fundraising efforts and oversight
  • *Marketing and publicity planning
• Facility
  • Overseeing current facility use, needs and development, and tracking and developing resource options for current and future facility needs.

Other future committees may be added as board size permits. These committees may include:

• Nominations and Board Recruitment
• *Communications and Marketing