Member of the Board of Directors Job Description and Expectations
Purpose: To advise, oversee direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of Little Smiles of Pa in support of the organization’s mission and needs.
Mission: Help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, tragedy and trauma.
Position: Board Member, Director: The Board will support the work of Little Smiles of Pa and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. The day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director.
The Board relationship to the Executive Director is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
Leadership and oversight
- Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director in support of Little Smiles’ strategic plan.
- Approve annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Assisting the Executive Director and board chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
- Attend quarterly meetings and be generally available to assist in the development of Little Smiles as an organization.
Fundraising
· Board Members will consider Little Smiles a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority.
· Little Smiles expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
· Board Members will solicit financial contributions from existing network and actively engage new networks.
· Board Members are expected to promote and share Little Smiles activities, events and needs to network and on social media.
Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about Little Smiles mission and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board Members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:
- Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector
- A commitment to and understanding of Little Smiles beneficiaries, preferably based on experience
- Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals
- An unquestioned commitment and understanding of the fundraising goals set forth but the Board of Directors
- Willingness to lead by example when soliciting for donations and high-dollar financial commitments both from individuals and companies.
