Roles And Responsibilities Of The President/Chair (US-EF 94-02)

| by LWV

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT/CHAIR 

The President/Chair is the Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters Education Fund. As such, the President/Chair has certain responsibilities.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

  1. Provide a good role model for League members, board members and staff.
  2. Be knowledgeable about League procedures and program.
  3. Take a lead role in fundraising and special events.
  4. Be available for interviews with the press.
  5. Encourage leadership development among other board members; enable individual growth and learning.
  6. Promote and foster team building and a positive working relationship between board and staff.
  7. Support, reward and acknowledge board members.
  8. Support, reward and acknowledge staff members.
  9. Provide a constructive transition for successor.

WORK OF THE BOARDS 

  1. Understand clearly the roles, responsibilities and duties of a board.
  2. Demonstrate good leadership skills.
  3. Delegate effectively; support board leadership teams.
  4. Appoint committees, task forces, and special event leadership at appropriate times.

MEETINGS

  1. Chair board meetings, executive committee meetings, the board retreat, and Convention and Council.
  2. Come to meetings prepared and manage agendas within the allotted time frames.
  3. Practice good facilitation skills; share power and decision-making appropriately, handle conflict, and make sure all views are heard.
  4. Establish board and executive committee agendas with input from board members and Executive Director.
  5. Serve ex officio on all board committees except the nominating committee.

RELATIONSHIP WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  1. Act as a partner in carrying out the mission and vision of the organizations.
  2. Strive for a positive working relationship with the Executive Director, share expectations, make yearly work plan, understand roles and responsibilities of each position.
  3. Ensure that the annual appraisal process of the Executive Director is conducted by the boards. 

REPRESENTING THE ORGANIZATION

  1. Serve as the chief spokesperson.
  2. Communicate mission and organizational philosophy well; be visible at appropriate functions (or delegate responsibility).
  3. Meet with media.
  4. Network with government officials and other organizations.
  5. Visit Leagues. 

TRAINING AND ORIENTATION 

  1. Provide for one-time and ongoing orientation of new board members.
  2. Encourage on-going training opportunities for board members individually and for the boards as a whole.

LWVUS/EF
Board Responsibilities
Policy US-EF 94-02
Revised February 2004 Adopted January 1994