Marin County Bicycle Coalition
BOARD of DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Approved in August 2006

The Board of Directors is the governing body for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization. Members of the MCBC Board are elected annually in staggered two-year terms by the organization's membership. When there is a mid-term vacancy on the Board, the remaining Board members may choose to appoint a replacement Board member.

The Board is committed to the MCBC mission statement, "to promote safe bicycling for everyday transportation and recreation." Officers of the Board have additional specific duties that are described in the MCBC Bylaws. Each member is expected to be understanding, tolerant, and have mutual respect for and from all of those serving on the Board of Directors.

Each Member of the Board of Directors is responsible for the following:

To work, in collaboration with the executive director, to develop funding adequate to fill MCBC's fiscal needs, as per the adopted budget. Board members are required to do fundraising for the organization, and to personally contribute funding and time to the MCBC, at a level that is appropriate to each individual board member.

• To be an "active" dues-paying member of the MCBC. If a Board member's membership lapses for more than two months, that Director will automatically be removed from the Board.

• To participate in a board meeting for approximately three hours on a monthly basis, or participate in Board committee meetings in months when full Board meetings do not occur. Board members are required to attend Board meetings, review Board memos, agendas, minutes and financial statements prior to board meetings, and to be actively engaged in Board discussions. Regular dates and times of Board meetings are usually determined for six months at a time: approximately every December and June.

• To spend approximately 8-10 hours a month on MCBC business, in addition to the monthly meeting.

• To participate in a daylong Board Retreat whose focus is determined annually by the Board to address strategic planning issues. Members of the Board are required to attend this meeting, which is planned around the schedules of those serving on the Board.

• To read and respond to MCBC related emails. A Board Member should be on-line at least three times a week to be able to respond to MCBC emails and inquiries from the other members of the board, executive director, and the staff in a timely fashion.

• To lend their time and talents to help advise staff in areas of expertise. Board members respond to staff when there are inquiries, and act as a sounding board for the executive director and other staff.

• To perform leadership tasks for the MCBC between board meetings on a regular basis. Tasks include, but are not limited to: fundraising, serving on a Board committee, setting up or attending a meeting with a community, agency or elected official, being a local point-person on infrastructure projects, or any other task in which one is actively engaging members to become involved with the Coalition or working to ensure the vitality of the MCBC.

• To represent the community's interests within the organization, and to ensure that the organization is responsive to our mission and needs, members, and the community at large.

• To serve as ambassadors of the Coalition and work to actively promote its values.

In addition, the Board of Directors of the MCBC collectively has responsibility for the following aspects of the organization:

• The MCBC Board of Directors is responsible for adopting a budget every year, and revising that budget on an as needed basis. The Board must establish and monitor fiscal controls and develop a sound financial strategy. The main concerns are for effective use of funds and accountability.

• The MCBC Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, evaluating and supervising the executive director of the organization. Additionally, the Board adopts and updates the MCBC Employee Handbook, which contains Personnel Policies for all staff.

• The MCBC Board of Directors sets policy for the organization, represents the community's interests, and ensures that the organization is responsive to our mission and needs. The Board of Directors determines overall program priorities for the organization and evaluates these programs.

• The MCBC Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

• The members of the MCBC Board of Directors may only represent the organization on programs and projects that are already in place, or have been agreed-upon by the Board. Individual members of the Board cannot initiate new programs or set policy for the organization.

• The members of the MCBC Board of Directors lend their name and personal credibility to the organization. Their names may be used on letterhead, the website, brochures, grant proposals, and in other material formats.