Executive Board Position Descriptions

As members of the executive board, you play a crucial role in providing leadership and fulfilling the organization's mission and vision. 

In order to meet your fiduciary responsibilities, the following expectations are set for each executive board position:

• Mission and Purpose:

  • Understand and support the mission and purpose of ARLIS/NA

  • Contribute to defining and shaping the organization’s strategic goals, as aligned with the mission, vision, and values

• Management Company:

  • Select and evaluate the performance of the management company

• Strategic and Organizational Planning:

  • Engage in strategic planning to guide the future direction of ARLIS/NA

  • Contribute to organizational planning efforts to ensure effective implementation of strategic goals

• Fiduciary Oversight and Financial Management:

  • Provide strong fiduciary oversight by reviewing and approving budgets, financial statements, and major financial decisions

  • Ensure the organization operates in a financially responsible manner

• Fundraising and Resource Development:

  • Actively participate in fundraising efforts to secure financial resources for ARLIS/NA

  • Utilize personal connections and networks to identify potential donors and partners

• Program Approval and Monitoring:

  • Review and approve programs and services offered by ARLIS/NA

  • Monitor the progress and impact of these programs.

• Public Image Enhancement:

  • Promote and enhance the public image of ARLIS/NA

  • Act as an ambassador for the organization and advocate for its mission.

• Self-Assessment:

  • Engage in periodic self-assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the board's governance

Position Responsibilities and Qualifications

Board Member Responsibilities

Position Description: Vice President/President-Elect

Position Description: President

Position Description: Past President

Position Description: Secretary

Position Description: Treasurer

Position Description: Advancement Liaison

Position Description: Chapters Liaison

Position Description: Canadian Liaison

Position Description: Education Liaison

Board Member Responsibilities (All)

As an executive board member, you are also expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Knowledge and Understanding:
  • Familiarize yourself with ARLIS/NA's mission, policies, programs, and needs.
• Financial Oversight:
  • Read and understand the organization's financial statements.
  • Ensure financial decisions align with the organization's mission and goals.
• Advocacy and Resource Acquisition:
  • Actively advocate for the organization and seek financial resources and partnerships to advance ARLIS/NA's mission.
  • Utilize your connections, networks, and resources to generate collective action and support.
• Fundraising and Reputational Standing:
  • Identify personal connections that can contribute to fundraising efforts and enhance the organization's reputation.
  • Utilize your influence to support public policy initiatives that align with ARLIS/NA's goals.
• Board Engagement:
  • Prepare for, attend, and actively participate in board meetings.
  • Conscientiously engage in discussions and decision-making processes.
• Committee Participation:
  • Fully participate in one or more committees to contribute to specific areas of board work.
• Time Commitment:
  • Dedicate 2-4 hours per week to fulfill board-related responsibilities.
• Bylaws, Policies, and Resolutions:
  • Adhere to the organization's bylaws, policies, and board resolutions.
• Conflict of Interest:
  • Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it as needed throughout the year.
  • Disclose any potential conflicts of interest before meetings and address actual conflicts during meetings.
• Confidentiality:
  • Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all internal matters of ARLIS/NA.
• Executive Board Participation:
  • Attend regular Executive Board meetings and actively participate in its deliberations, fulfilling the necessary financial and time commitments.
• Ethical Concerns:
  • Identify and bring to the attention of the Executive Board or relevant committees any ethical concerns affecting ARLIS/NA's membership.
• Group Liaison:
  • Serve as the Executive Board liaison to assigned ARLIS/NA groups, fostering effective communication, collaboration, and strategic alignment.
• Correspondence and Special Assignments:
  • Undertake correspondence and special assignments as requested, which may include writing reports to ensure effective communication within the organization.

Qualifications

All board members should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Advocacy
• ARLIS/NA Experience
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Cultural Humility
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging
• Holistic Thinking
• Knowledge of the Field and Organization Leadership

Please see the ARLIS/NA Leadership Competencies document for more detailed information including definitions and demonstrations.