2026 United Way of Galveston Board Member Agreement

I understand that as a member of the Board of Directors of Way of Galveston, I have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that the organization does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals. I believe in the purpose and the mission of the organization, and I will act responsibly and prudently as its steward. As part of my responsibilities as a board member:

1. I will interpret the organization's work and values to the community, represent the organization, and act as a brand ambassador.

2. In turn, I will interpret our constituencies' needs and values to the organization, speak out for their interests, and on their behalf, hold the organization accountable.

3. I will attend and prepare for at least 75% of board meetings and committee meetings. I will inform the Board President and Executive Director in advance of any meetings that I cannot attend.

4. I will be an active member of at least one Committee and will be willing to take a leadership role on a committee or on the board.

5. I will attend and promote special events. I will inform the Board President and Executive Director in advance of any special events that I cannot attend.

6. I will make an annual, personally meaningful, undesignated contribution of no less than $500 to United Way of Galveston.

7. I will actively participate in one or more fundraising activities, including promoting the Annual Workplace Giving Campaign.

8. I will be willing to solicit financial and in-kind donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

9. I will disclose all real and perceived conflicts of interest in writing to the organization using the organizations conflict of interest form annually. If a new real or perceived conflict of interest arises throughout the year, I will notify the executive director and board president in writing immediately.

10. I will recuse myself from discussions and votes where I have a real or perceived conflict of interest.

11. I will maintain the confidentiality of board deliberations and will publicly support the decisions of the board, including those with which I might have been in disagreement.

12. I will stay informed about what is going on in the organization and developments in fields relevant to the organization. I will ask questions and request information. I will participate in and take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies, and other matters. I will not stay silent if I have questions or concerns.

13. I will encourage, enable and respect the participation and contributions of fellow board members

14. I will support, where possible, the recommendations of the committees.

15. I will participate in the assessment of my own performance and the performance of the board as a whole, recommend candidates for board nomination and be available to mentor a new board member.

16. I will respect and support the executive director’s authority, communicate ideas about program or administrative activities to the Executive Director rather than to line staff, refrain from making special requests of the staff and avoid discussion of personnel matters with staff.

17. I will work in good faith with the executive director and other board members as partners toward achievement of our goals.

18. If I do not fulfill these commitments to the organization, I will expect the board president to call me and discuss my responsibilities with me.

In turn, the organization will be responsible to me in the following ways:

1. I will be sent regular financial reports and an update of organizational activities that allow me to meet the "prudent person" standards of the law.

2. Opportunities will be offered to me to discuss with the executive director and the board president the organization's programs, goals, activities, and status; additionally, I can request such opportunities.

3. The organization will help me perform my duties by keeping me informed about issues in the industry and field in which we are working and by offering me opportunities for professional development as a board member.

4. Board members and the executive director will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions that I feel are necessary to carry out my fiscal, legal, and moral responsibilities to this organization. Board members and the executive director will work in good faith with me toward achievement of our goals.

5.If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to me, I can call on the board president and/or executive director to discuss the organization's responsibilities to me.