Board of Directors

Scope of Authority
The Board of Directors is legally and morally (ethically) accountable for the health and effectiveness of the Friends of the Dalton Council on Aging (COA). The Board ensures that the organization achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner.

The Board’s job is governance, the ongoing process of due diligence whereby the Board operates as a collective (group) to assure corporate health and effectiveness. Specifically, the Board is accountable for the functions described below. The Board operates in a manner outlined in its Bylaws and its policies.

The Board works in partnership with its Chair as articulated in various policies. The Chair provides leadership and support, enabling the Board to carry out its governance responsibility.

All of this is accomplished as a group at board meetings — through review of information, strategic questioning, and dialogue.

Job Description of Board Members
The Friends of the Dalton Council has as its purpose to foster community and financial support of the Council on Aging and the Senior Center. The organization operates as a non-profit corporation under Chapter 180 of the Massachusetts General Laws and in compliance with Section 501 (c) 3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and in accordance with its bylaws.
Term: One year

Specific Functions and Responsibilities
Board Members shall:
• Articulate values and mission, and set standards, controls and policies. Ensure that all the organization’s programs, activities, and operations adhere to these policies.
• Attend required meetings. A member who is absent from meetings for three consecutive meetings (unexcused) shall be deemed to have resigned membership on the Friends and will be asked to file a letter of resignation with the Executive Board.
• Recruit and recommend new Board members as and when required.
• Serve on a subcommittee as assigned by the Chairman.
• Assist in planning and implementing fund-raising activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing fundraising and nonprofit operations.
• Ensure that the financial structure is adequate for current priorities, long-range strategy, sustainability and intergenerational equity.
• Not make written or oral representation for the Friends unless authorized by a majority vote of the Board.
• Do all business communications through the Chairman or his/her representative.
• Promote and support, in a positive way, all programs of the Dalton COA which enhance the lives of the community’s elderly population, and support the Chairman in a decision and actions consistent with policies of the Board.
• Not make requests of any COA Staff or assign duties to the COA Staff.
• Refer any questions concerning COA services and programs to the COA office.

Adopted May 14, 2018

***Role of the Friends Liaisons to the COA: shall be to keep respective Friends and COA Boards informed of all upcoming events so all members of both boards as well as the Executive Director of the COA and the Chair of the Friends shall be able to fulfill their respective Vision/Mission of their organization.