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The board chair leads the board, not the organization — that's the CEO's job. The chair runs meetings, partners with the chief executive, and makes sure the board does its own work well. A written description keeps that line clear and makes recruiting a successor far easier.
The chair's primary job is the effectiveness of the board itself: setting agendas with the CEO, running focused meetings, ensuring committees function, and seeing that the board makes decisions and holds itself accountable. The chair is the CEO's main board-side partner and usually leads the annual CEO evaluation, but does not manage staff or run day-to-day operations. Confusing the two is the most common governance failure, and a written role description is the simplest guard against it.
Boards take their cues from the chair. A chair who reads the packet, starts and ends on time, draws quieter directors in, and gives 100% to the annual campaign sets the standard for everyone else. The chair also leads on board development — recruitment, orientation, and succession — so the board is stronger when they leave than when they arrived.
Good chairs plan their own succession from the start, usually through a chair-elect or vice-chair who shadows the role for a year. Define the term length and the path in the bylaws, and keep the outgoing chair available as immediate past chair for continuity.
BOARD CHAIR — ROLE DESCRIPTION [Organization name] Reports to: The board of directors Term: [length], [renewable / non-renewable] Time commitment: [estimate — meetings, prep, events] PURPOSE Lead the board of directors so that it governs effectively, and partner with the Chief Executive to advance the mission. The chair leads the board; the CEO leads the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES - Set board meeting agendas in partnership with the CEO and preside over meetings. - Ensure the board fulfills its governance and fiduciary duties. - Serve as the board's primary link to the CEO; lead the annual CEO evaluation. - Appoint committee chairs and ensure committees are effective. - Lead board recruitment, orientation, and succession planning. - Act as an ambassador for the organization and support fundraising by example. - Ensure the board follows its bylaws and conflict-of-interest policy. QUALIFICATIONS - Prior board service and, ideally, committee-chair experience. - Strong facilitation skills and the ability to run a focused meeting. - Commitment to the mission and to giving/getting at the board's expected level. - Impartiality and the confidence of fellow directors. SUCCESSION The chair works with a [chair-elect / vice-chair] who is prepared to step into the role, and remains available as immediate past chair for [term].
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