George Family Foundation: Responsibilities of the Board Chair

Oversee fulfillment of the mission and goals of the foundation:

• Make sure GFF is serving society effectively and fulfilling its strategic and organizational goals
• Periodically revisit the mission, operating principles, “Constitution” of the GFF
• Be a spokesperson with influential audiences in focus areas of key interest
• Engage with activities that involve promoting the GFF “brand” (PR, written materials, etc.)
• Regularly review strategic plan for alignment with the mission and goals
• Maintain strong relationships with a few key grantees who are also thought partners
• Remain au courant as to where broader movement is taking place in our focus areas
• Engage in internal and external discussions of particular interest or importance, as appropriate

Create a board culture in which board members are knowledgeable, appropriately engaged, and contributing to the GFF:

• Provide information of importance to the board outside of board meetings
• Genuinely seek input on how the board will operate/be structured
• Involve board in high level questions about the future direction of the foundation
• Educate new board members on what it means to be a good board member of the GFF
• Assure that GFF board is following best practices for boards of its type and size

Ensure the GFF is well managed:

• Select talented operational head of foundation, provide on-going feedback and development opportunities, evaluate his/her leadership, compensate appropriately
• Partner with ED/President on high level matters, leaving operational decisions to him/her
• Assess ED/President’s performance annually
• Participate in decisions about personnel hires/structure of the office to ensure alignment with GFF culture and goals
• With the ED/President, review the budget and investment performance on a quarterly basis
• Ensure that policies and procedures are current and follow best practices for a foundation of our size.