SBA Board Member Orientation

Board Member Orientation : 

Board Member Orientation Serving as a board member is one of the most challenging and rewarding of volunteer assignments. While appointment or election to a board is an honor, board members have important legal and fiduciary responsibilities that require a commitment of time, skill, and resources. In this presentation, perspective board members can find guidance and answers to questions relating to serving on the board of directors for the Spina Bifida Association of Northwest Ohio

Message from the Board Chair : 

Message from the Board Chair The Spina Bifida Association of Northwest Ohio’s (SBA of NWO) mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and enhance the live of all affected. As times and technologies change, we have grown to meet the challenges of how we provide services to our constituents. When the SBA of NWO was founded in 1975, we were only providing our services to a small number of families. Over the years we have grown to fulfill our mission to include the Internet using web sites and social media platforms. As technology continues its relentless change, we plan to be on that forefront, constantly seeking where our audiences are migrating, and designing our strategies to go where they are with the programs and services that meet their ever changing needs.

Spina Bifida Association of Northwest OhioMission Statement : 

Spina Bifida Association of Northwest OhioMission Statement The mission of the Spina Bifida Association of Northwest Ohio is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and enhance the lives of all affected.

What is Spina Bifida? : 

What is Spina Bifida? Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. An average of eight (8) babies are born with Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine each day. The exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known with certainty. However, scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors may act together to cause Spina Bifida. Studies have shown that taking 400 mcg of folic acid, before becoming pregnant and during the first three months of pregnancy can reduce the risk of having a Spina Bifida affected pregnancy by up to 70%. The easiest way to get the right amount of folic acid is to take a vitamin. A child with the most severe form of Spina Bifida usually is operated on within the first 24 hours of birth. Surgery is generally performed to minimize the risk of infection and preserve the existing function of the spinal cord. Persons with Spina Bifida need to learn mobility skills and often, with the use of crutches, braces or wheelchairs, can achieve independence. Fortunately, with the proper medical care, children with Spina Bifida can lead active and productive lives. Most are successful in school and many are actively involved in modified sports activities. Due to medical and surgical interventions over the last 40 yrs., approximately 90% of babies born with Spina Bifida now survive into adulthood, approximately 80% have normal IQ scores and approximately 75% are in competitive sports and recreational activities.

Board Member Responsibilities : 

Board Member Responsibilities Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events. Be informed about the organization's mission, services, policies, and programs. Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings. Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments. Make a personal financial contribution to the organization. Inform others about the organization. Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and the Spina Bifida Association of Northwest Ohio (SBA of NWO). Keep up-to-date on developments in the SBA of NWO. Follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies. Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization's annual financial statements.

Board Chair and Vice Chair Responsibilities : 

Board Chair and Vice Chair Responsibilities Board Chair Responsibilities Oversee board and executive committee meetings Call special meetings if necessary Appoint all committee chairs and recommend who will serve on committees Work with the governance committee to recruit new board members Act as an alternate spokesperson for the organization Periodically consult with board members on their roles and help them assess their performance Vice Chair Responsibilities Attend all board meetings Serve on the executive committee if one exists Carry out special assignments as requested by the board chair Understand the responsibilities of the board chair and be able to perform these duties in the chair's absence Participate as a vital part of the leadership

Board Secretary and Treasurer Responsibilities : 

Board Secretary and Treasurer Responsibilities Board Secretary Responsibilities Attend all board meetings Ensure the safety and accuracy of all board records Review board minutes Assume responsibilities of the chair in the absence of the board chair and vice chair Provide notice of meetings of the board and/or of a committee when such notice is required Board Treasurer Responsibilities Attend all board meetings Maintain knowledge of the SBA of NWO and personal commitment to its goals and objectives Understand financial accounting for nonprofit organizations Serve as the chair of the finance committee Manage, with the finance committee, the board's review of and action related to the board's financial responsibilities Ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis Present the annual budget to the board for approval Review the annual audit and answer board members' questions about the audit

SBA of NWO Board of Directors Manual : 

SBA of NWO Board of Directors Manual You will receive for your review, a manual with the following materials: Mission statement Bylaws Policy Manual Board Member Agreement Conflict of Interest Policy Fundraising Policy Medical Equipment Policy Conference Scholarship Policy Minutes of past board meetings Audit Report Current Budget Current Financial Report Strategic Plan Roster of board members including addresses and telephone numbers List of Board Officers Other

Resources Available : 

Resources Available Through the national Spina Bifida Website, there are many resources available through a members only page called ‘Leaders Online’ SBA of NWO also has a website: www.sbaofnorthwestohio.org

Slide 10: 

Through the Leaders Online site, board members can utilize resources for: Programming Governance Purchase of informational or promotional items to successfully meet the collective mission

Slide 11: 

Here you can access resources to enable the successful delivery of key competencies (complete with templates) such as: Accountability Business Operations Governance Marketing, and Mission Delivery

Slide 12: 

The marketplace is a resource to purchase products and publications to further the mission relating to prevention of Spina Bifida.

Items to Return to the Board Chair : 

Items to Return to the Board Chair In order to finalize your installment as a board member of the Spina Bifida Association of Northwest Ohio, please return the following information before the next board meeting: Address Telephone--home and office E-mail address Best time to contact Documents Signed by you: Conflict of Interest Policy Board member Agreement Fundraising Policy All Board Meeting are held at 2211 River Road, Maumee, OH 43537 on the Second Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. For your convenience, a few dates are listed as follows: December 12, 2009 January 9, 2010 February 13, 2010 March 13, 2010 April 10, 2010 June 12, 2010

Thank You!We look forward to a successful relationship with you. : 

Thank You!We look forward to a successful relationship with you.