Board Responsibilities & Role Descriptions

Role of the Board 

Old Dog Haven (ODH) is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 2004. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Board) of up to seven members who all serve as volunteers. 

The Board: 

• Sets policies and goals for the Executive Director to implement and achieve 

• Ensures that ODH has adequate finances and that money is responsibly spent 

• Plays an active role in supporting the organization in the communities we serve 

• Sets the strategic vision for the organization 

• Employs and evaluates the Executive Director 

• Allows the Executive Director to manage day-to-day operations. 

Board members are expected to: 

• Attend meetings and actively sit on committees 

• Participate in and support ODH’s annual summer event. 

Member of the Board 

To act as a voting member of the Board with full authority and responsibility to develop policies, procedures, and regulations for the operation of the organization; to monitor the organization’s financial health, programs, and overall performance; and to provide the Executive Director with the resources to meet  the needs of the communities the organization services. 

Full Board Responsibilities: 

• Establish policy 

• Hire and evaluate the Executive Director 

• Secure adequate funding for the organization 

• Monitor finances 

• Create and update a long-range strategic plan for the organization 

• Select and support the organization’s Board officers and periodically review their performances 

• Adopt key operating policies and procedures 

• Participate in outreach and fundraising activities undertaken by the organization. 

Individual Board member duties: 

• Attend all Board meetings and activities, including special events and Board retreats 

• Become knowledgeable about the organization 

• Be well-prepared and well-informed about Board meeting agenda topics 

• Contribute to meetings by expressing your point of view 

• Consider other points of view, make constructive suggestions, and help the Board make decisions that  are to the benefit of the animals and communities the organization serves 

• Serve on at least one committee 

• Represent the organization to individuals, the public, and other organizations 

• Assume Board leadership roles when asked 

• Keep the Board and Executive Director informed about any concerns the community has. 

Rationale 

Board members set broad policies and goals and give the Executive Director authority to implement the day-to-day management of the organization. Individual members of the Board, however, have no authority to act or speak independently of the full Board. Doing so can damage the Board’s team spirit, the organization’s ability to carry out its mission, and the organization's image in the communities it serves. Board members who abuse their position may be subject to removal. 

Board members are “trustees” of the organization who approve an annual budget that ensures it can meet it’s financial needs. In addition, Board member monitor the overall financial health of the organization by reviewing annual reports. This, however, does not mean they should interfere with the Executive Director’s responsibility to make day-to-day operational expenditures. Individual Board members should attend all Board meetings, actively participate in them, and serve on committees or as Board officers. Finally, Board members have the responsibility to know and fulfill their proper role as Board members and to act in the best interests of the animals and communities their organization serves.