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Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County, Inc., is the most important part of the organization. Without a well-informed, active Board, the affiliate is severely limited, as it is the Board that not only makes policy and administrative decisions, but also which sets the tone and direction and holds financial responsibility for the organization. As a general rule, the more involved and aware a Board is, the stronger the organization. While the Executive Director will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the affiliate, and while Board Directors will sometimes be directed by the Executive Director on certain projects, all responsibilities above day-to-day management are assumed by the Board. These include, but are not limited to:

Providing the Human Resources required to maintain or improve support of tutors and learners. This means obtaining volunteers to fill specialized volunteer positions, as well as qualified people to fill paid positions. For paid positions, this implies the financial means are also available.
Providing the Community Resources required to maintain or improve support of tutors and learners. This includes recruitment for committees and/or the Board, as well as for specific projects, be they program, public relations, fundraising, etc.
Providing the Fiscal Resources required to maintain or improve support of tutors and learners. This involves representing the organization during fundraisers or campaigns, making use of personal contacts, and approaching possible sponsors. All Directors should be willing to speak with friends and associates about supporting literacy; there are also phone calls, letters, ticket sales, etc. One of the major responsibilities of any Board is financial oversight; to ensure the organization is fiscally sound, and to enforce financial policies and guidelines.
Providing the expertise and guidance required to conduct the organization's affairs. Often, Directors are nominated because of their skills or knowledge; every director should contribute everything s/he can to provide quality management.

It is also important that Directors on the Board acquaint themselves with the by-laws, the Policy Manual, and all financial information. An Orientation Manual is provided to each new Director, and the Executive Director is always willing to answer questions or explain policies. Every potential Director is required to go through a Nomination Process, which involves meeting with a current Director. Also, every Director is required to serve on at least one committee.

Many volunteers have questions about personal liability as Board Directors. In New York State, one is not held personally liable for actions of a Non-Profit Organization or its employees, as long as certain minimal standards of conduct, which should be followed by every Director regardless of liability, are maintained. These minimal standards basically consist of:

Attending all meetings. As a general rule, 75% is set as a minimal attendance figure. Generally speaking, LV Wayne meets seven times a year as a Board.
Read all reports and information provided. If reports are not regularly given, they should be requested at meetings. If written reports are not regularly provided, it should be make clear that they will be expected at all future meetings. At LV Wayne, the Executive Director makes monthly reports on activities, and sends these to all Directors prior to each meeting. These should be read before the meeting begins.
Avoid all conflicts of interest. The main difference between a Non-Profit and a For-Profit corporation is that owners in a Non-Profit make no money. While they may employ people, and while the organization may hold money, Directors, as representatives of the communities which own the Non-Profit, are forbidden from personally profiting in any way, or in awarding contracts, employment, etc. to personal friends.

While the commitment is large and the duties are serious, Directorship is extremely rewarding. It is also a critical role for concerned residents to play for the reasons listed above. While a good Tutor may affect the lives of many families, a good Director will affect the lives of hundreds of families each year. If you have served on a Board before, or feel strongly about literacy in Wayne County, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.