This statement of individual board member and officer responsibilities
clarifies expectations and provides criteria by which each board member knows
what is expected during their tenure on the Board. At the beginning of each year, each elected
member is expected to read and sign the document, as an expectation that they
will uphold their responsibilities and expectations.
As a member of the Board of Directors or as an
Officer of the Public Relations Society of America, National Capital Chapter
(PRSA NCC), I recognize that our continued success depends on the personal
commitment and active involvement of a select group of elected individuals who
embrace the privilege to serve and the responsibility to lead the Chapter.
PRSA NCC Board members have collective board responsibilities and are entrusted with individual
responsibilities as part of their board membership. The obligations of board service extend beyond the basic expectations of attending
meetings and procurement of additional revenue (e.g., new members, supporting
events). Outlined below are the expectations and responsibilities of the PRSA NCC Board of Directors.
My Role:
An active and engaged Board is vital to the
Chapter’s success. By signing this agreement, I commit myself to:
● Know the organization’s mission,
strategic plan, goals, policies, and needs.
● Understand the Board’s primary
responsibility is financial oversight.
● Be familiar with the bylaws
that govern the chapter and its relationship with PRSA National.
● Missing no more than three board
meetings per year or risk removal.
● Actively participate in Board
meetings and undertake assignments and tasks in a timely manner.
● Respond within two business days
to all Board-related communications requiring my action.
● Serve as a participating member of
at least one committee.
● Call to the attention of the
Chapter’s president and/or Officers issues of potential significance to the Chapter.
● Serve as a Chapter ambassador with
members and potential members, and engage in mentorship and leadership
opportunities, such as participating in new membership activities.
● Support Chapter events through
active involvement and participation.
o I am expected to attend at least
three PRSA NCC programs and events annually and actively encourage support and
attendance by colleagues as well.
o I will make every attempt to
attend the chapter-wide membership-related events (i.e. networking receptions, happy
hours).
● Take full responsibility for any
event(s) I commit to organizing, and ensure that any such events adhere to the
Chapter’s event planning procedures.
Fiduciary Responsibilities:
Together with my fellow Board members, I am
responsible for the fiscal oversight of PRSA-NCC. I will know what our budget
is and take an active part in reviewing and approving the budget and monitoring
our performance against that budget. I will understand all elements of the
Chapter’s fiscal health including:
● Faithfully read and understand the
organization’s financial statements and otherwise help the board fulfill its
fiduciary responsibility.
● Ensure that no volunteers commit
the Chapter to any financial obligations; only the Treasurer/President —in
mutual agreement— are authorized to do so following approval from the Board of
Directors.
Avoiding Conflicts:
My first obligation is to avoid any
preconception that I “represent” anything but the organization’s best interests
and will do my utmost to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest
that might embarrass the Board or the organization, and disclose any possible
conflicts to the board in a timely fashion.
I will uphold the highest ethical standards as
outlined by the PRSA National Code of Ethics.
I will not receive any financial compensation
for any of my efforts associated with my chapter work during my board tenure.
The Role of Ambassador for PRSA-NCC:
As a Board member, I am an official ambassador
for the organization, and will strive to represent PRSA NCC in the best
possible ways. I will not offer myself
as an official spokesperson for the organization without proper authority from
the president.
