Youth Football and Cheer Volunteer Board Member Expectations

As a volunteer board member for the Huntington Beach Chargers youth football and cheer program, you play a crucial leadership role in supporting the organization’s mission to promote teamwork, fair play, personal development, and community engagement. Board service carries both operational responsibilities and governance obligations. Your commitment helps ensure a positive, sustainable, and mission-driven program for all participants.

Expectations for Volunteer Board Members

1. Attendance and Participation

• Attend scheduled board meetings, events, and league activities.
• Actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes.

2. Support Program Goals

• Uphold and promote the values and mission of the football and cheer programs.
• Contribute to setting and achieving program objectives.
• Support board-approved decisions, even when individual opinions may differ.

3. Communication

• Maintain open and professional communication with fellow board members, coaches, and parents.
• Serve as a liaison between the board and the community.
• Deliver unified messaging on behalf of the board.
• Refrain from communications that undermine the program, board directives, leadership, or mission.

4. Planning and Organization

• Assist in planning and organizing events, fundraisers, and league activities.
• Serve on a minimum of one sub-committee.
• Complete assigned responsibilities in a timely and reliable manner.

5. Fiscal Responsibility

• Ensure funds are used responsibly, ethically, and transparently.
• Support proper financial oversight consistent with nonprofit best practices.

6. Recruitment and Support

• Help recruit, train, and support volunteers and coaches.
• Help recruit and support program participants. 
• Encourage community involvement and positive engagement.

7. Conflict Resolution

• Address conflicts in a fair, respectful, and solution-oriented manner.
• Promote a culture of respect and sportsmanship among players, coaches, and parents.
• Utilize internal processes before escalating concerns externally.

8. Safety and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and guidelines.
• Stay informed regarding laws and regulations affecting youth sports.
• Adhere to and assist with implementing AAU and league rules and bylaws.

9. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

• Provide constructive feedback to strengthen the organization.
• Be open to collaboration and adaptive solutions that serve the greater good of the program.

10. Governance Duties & Bylaws Compliance

Board members are fiduciaries of the organization and are required to fulfill the duties outlined in the Huntington Beach Chargers Bylaws. These include, but are not limited to:

• The Duty of Care – Actively participating, staying informed, and making decisions in good faith.
• The Duty of Loyalty – Acting in the best interest of the organization above personal interests.
• The Duty of Obedience – Ensuring the organization operates in accordance with its mission, governing documents, and applicable laws.

Failure to perform the responsibilities of your board position as outlined in the Bylaws may result in corrective action, including review, suspension, or removal in accordance with board procedures.

Board service is an active leadership role not a symbolic or honorary position and requires consistent engagement and fulfillment of assigned responsibilities.

11. Professional Conduct & Non-Disparagement

Board members are ambassadors of the Huntington Beach Chargers program.

Board members agree to:

• Refrain from making derogatory, harmful, or disparaging comments about the organization, board members, coaches, volunteers, players, families, sponsors, or partners in any public or private forum, including social media.
• Avoid conduct that undermines board decisions, leadership, or the reputation of the organization.
• Address disagreements internally through appropriate governance channels.

Healthy discussion and disagreement are part of governance; however, once a decision is made by the board, members are expected to support that decision publicly and uphold unified leadership.

12. Board Member Benefits & Forfeiture Policy

Any board member discounts, registration reductions, fee waivers, or other financial benefits are privileges extended in recognition of active and faithful board service.

These benefits are contingent upon:

• Fulfillment of board duties
• Compliance with bylaws and policies
• Professional conduct consistent with these expectations
• Completion of the full term of service

If a board member:

• Fails to meet their obligations,
• Resigns mid-term without fulfilling commitments,
• Is removed for cause, or
• Violates board policies,

The Executive Board may, at its discretion, revoke or require reimbursement of any board-related discounts or financial benefits received.

Board benefits are not guaranteed and may be forfeited if obligations are not met.

Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

As a volunteer board member, you may have access to confidential information related to the organization, its members, and its operations. It is crucial to maintain the confidentiality of this information to protect the integrity and trust within the program.

Confidential Information:

Any sensitive data, including personal information of players and families, financial records, or strategic plans, must be kept confidential.

Do not disclose or discuss confidential information with anyone outside of the board unless authorized; this includes parents, coaches, and others outside the board.

Confidential information includes discussions between board members or at board meetings and activities related to volunteer-related issues and decisions or other sensitive league matters involving players, parents, or volunteers.

Non-Disclosure:

Agree to refrain from sharing any proprietary information about the organization with third parties.

This obligation remains in effect even after your term on the board has ended.

Discretion in Public Settings:

Board members must be mindful of their surroundings when discussing board matters or other sensitive topics, especially in public spaces such as practice fields, games, or events where parents, players, or other non-board individuals may overhear.

Upholding confidentiality in all settings helps maintain trust and professionalism within the organization.

Failure to Meet Expectations

Board members who fail to meet expectations, violate confidentiality, breach fiduciary duties, engage in conduct detrimental to the organization, or fail to fulfill their assigned responsibilities may be subject to review, suspension, removal, reimbursement of benefits, or other corrective action at the discretion of the Executive Board and consistent with the Bylaws. Certain violations may also be subject to AAU-mandated penalties.

Acknowledgment

By signing below, you acknowledge your understanding of the expectations outlined above, including governance responsibilities, confidentiality obligations, professional conduct standards, and benefit eligibility conditions. You commit to fulfilling your role as a volunteer board member with integrity, professionalism, and dedication to the mission of the Huntington Beach Chargers.