Sample CU Board Member Job Description (1)

[CU Name] Board Member Job Description

Courtesy of Quantum Governance, L3c

Authority

The Board of Directors is the legal authority for the [CU Name]. The Board of Directors

governs through exercising both its formal authority (i.e., to select the CEO) as well as its

informal authority of influence and persuasion (i.e. to help shape the strategic goals of the

credit union). The Board traditionally delegates the authority to carry out the operations

and management of the to the CEO and should actively support – as well as hold

accountable – the CEO in carrying out the credit union’s collective vision, mission and

strategic goals.

Responsibility

Board members must effectively carry out their vital leadership, legal, and stewardship

responsibilities and act in the best interests of the members of the credit union. As such,

Board members are responsible for providing effective governance and leadership to the

credit union. Board members play a vital role – often in constructive partnership with senior

management – in crafting the strategic direction of the credit union. They do so based on

their shared understanding of the purpose and goals of the credit union as well as their

vision as to how to best serve the evolving needs the credit union’s members.

Collectively, the members of the Board are legally responsible for the credit union and all its

activities. Working together – and in constructive partnership with management – the

Board also has the responsibility for establishing and shaping the vision, mission and goals of

the credit union. They also must provide ongoing oversight to ensure the financial

soundness and sustainability of the credit union. Accordingly, the Board ensures the

finances of the credit union are handled properly; approves and monitors the annual budget;

ensures compliance with applicable legislation; establishes and monitors financial policies

and practices.

A general understanding of the principles and fundamental governing concepts of the [CU

Name] Board are broadly stated below. These governance principles shall not prohibit the

Board's detailed review of and understanding of the credit union’s operational or other

efforts as may be occasionally warranted by special circumstances. (Please note also the

board’s duties below.) The [CU Name] Board will:

a. Govern and lead to actively advance the vital mission of [CU Name].

b. Carry out its legal duties of care, loyalty and obedience to [CU Name] and its

mission.

c. Focus appropriate efforts and discussion at the fiduciary, strategic and

generative levels of governance.

d. Actively support – and hold accountable – the CEO and staff.

e. Hold itself accountable to the highest levels of integrity.

f. Actively lead and manage its own governance structure, culture and efforts.

[CU NAME] BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

g. Encourage genuinely diverse ideas, perspectives and opinions.

h. Speak as one voice once a decision has been made by the Board.

i. Constructively partner with each other, the [CU Name] CEO and staff.

j. Diligently and constructively advance [CU Name]’s relationship with key

stakeholders and all the credit union serves.

k. Energetically help craft, foster and support the [CU Name]’s vision,

mission, strategic goals, strategic objectives and strategic metrics of

success.

l. Actively support rigorous oversight, credit union’s sustainability and

operational effectiveness.

m. Establish criteria of success, and evaluate the overall performance and

results of [CU Name] on an ongoing basis.

Duties of the [CU Name] Board of Directors

Effectively govern and lead the credit union.

Develop and improve the credit union’s governing policies and procedures.

Consistently foster and engage in effective strategic thinking, insights, questions and

planning.

Hire, assist, counsel, oversee and regularly evaluate the CEO.

Foster the CEO’s effective leadership and management of the credit union’s personnel,

operations and activities.

Without limiting the general responsibility of the Board, appropriately delegate

operational and management authority to the CEO of the credit union.

In constructive partnership with the CEO, thoughtfully craft the strategic goals, objectives

and metrics of success for the credit union.

Maintain, monitor and protect the safety and soundness of the credit union and its assets.

Ensure the proper maintenance of all accounts and financial records of the credit union.

Understand and monitor the performance and results of the credit union.

[CU NAME] BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

Help craft and approve an annual budget for the credit union.

Act as active ambassadors to the credit union’s membership as well as the community as

a whole.

Retain independent auditors, accountants, and legal or governance counsel as is

necessary.

Ensure the credit union acts ethically and with genuine financial integrity.

Monitor regulations and legal issues pertaining to the credit union.

Sell, dispose of, or mortgage any or all the property of the credit union.

Exercise good faith as a member collective and act in the best interest of all members.

Duties of Individual Board Members

Actively engage, contribute, participate and ask questions.

Keep informed, prepare for and attend board meetings.

Participate in board development and educational activities.

Participate in the fundraising process through cultivation, solicitation or stewardship

Support and participate in the credit union’s community outreach efforts and activities.

Understand and monitor the credit union’s finances, safety and soundness.

Assist in shaping the vision, mission and strategy of the credit union.

Promote and understand the mission of the credit union.

Demonstrate personal and sustained commitment to achieve the vision and mission of

the credit union.

For assistance or more information on Quantum Governance, contact us at: jennie@quantumgovernance.net.

Quantum Governance provides corporations, nonprofits, credit unions, associations and governmental entities with strategic,

cost-effective governance, ethics and management consulting, facilitation and evaluation. The firm is a unique L3C credit union

that integrates the best elements of both the for- and non-profit communities into one practice. It is a low-profit, limited-liability

service credit union dedicated to the public good and one of the very first such legal hybrid credit unions in the United States.

This document is not intended for wide distribution nor to be relied upon by any person or entity for any purpose beyond its

intended scope as an example charter. We wish to note that we are not providing legal services or offering legal advice of any

Reserved.

Sample Courtesy of Quantum Governance, L3c

Description and a limited license to use is granted solely to our clients. Please do not otherwise utilize, reproduce, publish

or disseminate this Sample Board Member Job Description without written permission of Quantum Governance,L3C.

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