Join Our Board of Directors

Position Summary

The UWSEI Board and its individual members are entrusted by the community with the mission of UWSEI: they are the fiduciary and governing leadership body who steer the organization in advancement of the mission. The Board adopts ethical, legal, and financial management policies to ensure that UWSEI has adequate resources to advance its mission and works toward a sustainable future for the organization. Further, the Board member co-owns the organization’s mission, business, and strategy. They ensure accountability of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), self, and other Board members for achieving these goals, while ensuring the mission is adequately resourced and that necessary infrastructure is in place. This individual leads UWSEI to benefit the community.

Board Member Responsibilities

Each individual Board member will govern the work of UWSEI and provide mission-focused leadership and strategic direction. While day-to-day operations are led by the CEO, UWSEI Board members and the CEO must work together in partnership — appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected.

The Attributes of the High-Performing Board & CEO Partnership define what it takes to lead the organization to achieve high-performance and results for UWSEI. They are the north star for how the Board and CEO can work together – beyond the responsibilities of the Board and individual Board member. UWSEI achieves greater results when the Board and CEO work together in partnership to:

• Set Direction and Measure Performance and Results: UWSEI makes decisions grounded in community priorities and effectively measures performance on Impact, Revenue, Donors and Trust to ensure those results are accomplished.
• Deepen Relevance in Community: Is visible in both words and deeds in the community, seek to understand and be engaged in broader community issues, works to enhance UWSEI’s relevance, including advocating and/or influencing public policy as a critical function.
• Prioritize Time on Strategy: Prioritize Board leaders’ time, engagement and work on issues that are focused on improving communities, changing lives over operational and tactical work • Grow Revenue and Donors: Connect impact efforts and revenue generation in order to grow resources (financial, social) and advocates in order to achieve community results at scale.
• Leverage the Board as a Key Talent Asset: The Board is a key leadership and talent asset for UWSEI. As such, the Board (as a whole and as individual members) must be cultivated and enhanced on ongoing basis to attract, assess, develop, engage, and retain highly committed Board leaders.
• Engage with the United Way of Southeastern Idaho’s Network: Value the strength of and are actively engaging with Board leaders and CEOs from other United Ways to drive results on donor growth and common issues.

Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Mission, Brand, Impact and Business Strategy
Determine, articulate, and steward the organization’s mission, vision, brand, and core values, with which the community has entrusted the Board.

• Develop new and/or become familiar with existing Mission and Vision statements, the UWSEI business model, and goals (long- and short-term) listed in the strategic plan. Revise and update any, as needed.
• Set the tone and culture for the organization by acting on the mission and vision, guided by the core values, and leading by example.
• Monitor and strengthen community impact strategies, programs and services.
• Commit to make UWSEI a personal philanthropic priority.
• Bring the “outside in”, actively representing the community for UWSEI.
• Act as an ambassador, brand steward and an advocate for the organization in the community.

Governance and Fiscal Oversight

Practice effective governance and fiscal oversight to maintain the community’s trust.

• Maintain the fiscal integrity of the organization and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory reporting, and operating requirements (e.g., Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience)
• Ensure that safeguards and procedures are in place to protect the organization and minimize risk.
• Agree and adhere to Code of Conduct/ Ethics Policy and Conflict of Interest policies.
• Annually review and approve the budget and other key policies including compensation policies for the Executive Director and review the bylaws at least every-other year or as necessary.
• Oversee implementation of necessary financial changes based on the audit, and monitor compliance.

Resource Development

Set annual and multi-year fundraising goals and supporting metrics and strategies. The Board – and each individual member – must be champions for and engaged in resourcing the strategy and building the appropriate infrastructure to fund the mission and strategy.

• Set the example of investing through their own giving first.
• Help set UWSEI and Board fundraising goals and metrics of success.
• Make calls and introductions on behalf of UWSEI, opening their own networks for key financial asks and other supports (e.g., Loaned Executives, strong UWSEI campaigns in their workplace).
• Partner with the Executive Director, Fundraising and Volunteer Leaders, and staff to remove obstacles and barriers to fundraising success.
• Assist with recruitment of Fundraising and Volunteer Leaders (e.g., Campaign Cabinet, Tocqueville Society) and serve on committees/cabinets as appropriate.
• Thank donors in-person, in writing, and/or by phone.
• Contribute in other ways to drive revenue growth including providing expertise, knowledge of the community and social, intellectual, and reputational capital.
• Hold each other accountable for resource generation success.

CEO Performance and Accountability

The CEO leads the day-to-day activities of the organization; the Board monitors the CEO performance.

• Hire and fire the CEO.
• Support the CEO and serve as their partner and trusted advisor.
• Evaluate the CEO’s performance, tied to United Way’s strategic goals, organizational performance metrics, culture, and results on a regular basis (minimum annually).
• Review and approve CEO’s compensation.
• Ensure a proper CEO Succession Plan is in place (including for planned and unplanned departures).

Board Self-Leadership, Performance and Renewal

The Board must ensure its own continuity of leadership and provide for its ongoing development.

• Establish and assess Board performance as a whole and for individual members on an ongoing basis.
• Establish succession plans for the Board to always have quality leadership.
• Recruit new Board members (with Executive Committee and CEO) that have the competencies, passion, influence, and relationships needed to advance UWSEI’s mission and strategy.
• Serve on committees and/or task forces and take on special assignments (including as Chair as appropriate).
• Ensure the appropriate Board and committee infrastructure is in place.
• Commit to having a diverse Board and staff that reflects the diversity of the community.
• Hold each other accountable, and individually demonstrate the UWSEI Board Competencies behaviors.

Competencies

To effectively perform the responsibilities above the UWSEI Board member is expected to demonstrate the following competencies in their service to UWSEI:

• Strategic Thinker: The UWSEI Board provides thought-leadership and expertise in developing a path to achieve the strategic goals of the organization.
• Connects Leaders to Leaders: The UWSEI Board values talent as a key to success and attracts and develops key leaders and partnerships.
• Advocate for Community: The UWSEI Board is adept at public advocacy on behalf of community needs and solutions in education, income and health.
• Future Focused: The UWSEI Board is committed to long-term sustainability of support for UWSEI’s mission.
• Steward of Brand and Trust: The UWSEI Board understands the powerful significance of our brand, and instills trust in UWSEI by working with energy and integrity to strengthen and protect the organization’s reputation for ethical leadership and community service.

Commitment and Expectations

The UWSEI Board Member has several additional expectations:

• Complete Board Member Application.
• Term of service is [3] years and up to [3] consecutive terms may be served.
• Attend a majority of the Board meetings.
• Encouraged to attend UWSEI events.
• Consideration of a financial gift to ensure 100% Board participation.
• Serve on at least 1 Committee of the Board and attend their meetings.

Note: This is an unpaid position.

Diversity and inclusion are vital to achieving United Way of Southeastern Idaho’s mission, living our values and advancing the common good. UWSEI fosters and promotes an inclusive environment that leverages the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations in all aspects of our work. We know that by bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints, together we can collectively and more effectively create opportunities for a better life for all.

United Way of Southeastern Idaho recognizes that diversity goes beyond visible differences to affirm the essence of all individuals including realities, background, experiences, skills and perspectives that make each person who they are. Engaging the power of diverse talent and partners results in innovative solutions and the community ownership necessary to address complex community issues. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to LIVE UNITED.