Authority and Responsibility:
The Board of Trustees is the legal authority for The Norfolk Botanical Garden. As a member of the Board, a Trustee acts in a position of trust for the community and is responsible for the effective governance of the organization.
Requirements:
Requirements of Board membership include:
- Commitment to the work of the organization.
- Contribute specialized knowledge in areas of expertise/interest when called upon by staff or fellow trustees.
- Attendance at bimonthly Board meetings in accordance with provisions stated in the bylaws.
- Serve on at least one committee and take on special assignments as needed, sharing expertise with staff and fellow trustees or identifying others who can help.
- Support of, and participation in, fundraising events.
- Be a Garden member and also provide personal financial support for the Garden on an annual basis.
- Seek financial support from others by engaging in solicitation.
- Support of special events.
- Learn about and remain informed of the Garden’s collections, operations, bylaws, policies, programs and finances.
- Encourage friends and business associates to join the Garden, helping to identify new members.
- Serve as spokespersons and ambassadors to the community on behalf of the Garden.
- Read, sign annually and comply with the Conflict of Interest Policy and Letter of Commitment.
- Resign if you find that you become unable to meet attendance and financial commitments on an annual basis.
Term:
Board members are elected by the Board of Trustees. Trustees serve for a three-year term. Trustees may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.
General Duties:
A Trustee is fully informed on organizational matters, and participates in the Board’s deliberations and decisions in matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel and advocacy.
The Trustee must:
- Approve, where appropriate, policy and other recommendations received from the Board, its standing committees and senior staff.
- Monitor all Board policies.
- Review the bylaws and policy manual, and recommend bylaw changes to the Board.
- Review the Board’s structure, approve changes, and prepare necessary bylaw amendments.
- Participate in the development of the Garden’s strategic plan and annual review.
- Approve the Garden’s annual budget.
- Approve the hiring, compensation and release of the executive director based on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.
- Support and participate in evaluating the executive director.
- Assist in developing and maintaining positive relations among the Board, committees, staff members, and community to enhance The Norfolk Botanical Garden’s mission.
Evaluation:
A Trustee’s performance is evaluated annually based on the performance of assigned Board requirements and duties.