Society Operating Guidelines

Section 1.1: Board of Directors

I. Roles and Responsibilities

As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the Board of Directors is responsible to govern ASSP, oversee policy and direction, and provide leadership and guidance in fulfilling ASSP’s purpose and in carrying out the strategic plan. 

A. Key Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

In addition to the roles and duties outlined in the bylaws, the Board of Directors are accountable for the following duties:

• Set the strategic direction for the organization
  • Determine the organization’s mission and vision
  • Establish organizational values
  • Align operational plans with strategic plans
  • Measure progress against strategic plan
• Ensure necessary resources
  • Ensure adequate financial resources
  • Enhance the organization’s public image
  • Hire capable executive leadership
• Provide oversight
  • Oversee financial management
  • Minimize exposure to risk
  • Provide legal and fiduciary oversight
  • Assess its own performance as the governing body of the organization
  • Evaluate the CEO

B. Individual Board Member Expectations

• Know the organization’s mission, policies, programs and needs
• Read and understand the organization’s financial statements
• Serve as advocates and ambassadors for the organization and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships, as directed, necessary for the organization to advance its mission
• Leverage connections, networks and resources, as directed, to develop collective action to fully achieve the organization’s mission
• For each board meeting, the member shall
  • Thoroughly review the prepared materials in advance of the meeting
  • Block the meeting time on his/her/their calendars to ensure attendance at all meetings
  • Actively and conscientiously participate
• Follow the organization’s bylaws, society operating guidelines, policies and board resolutions
• Understands the staff role is to implement programs and services based on the strategic direction that has been set.
• Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings
• Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization

C. Time Commitment and Meeting Expectations

• Term of office: 3 years, July 1 – June 30
• Average hours per month: 20 to 25 hours, including, but not limited to, monthly 120 minute virtual meetings and quarterly 90 minute Foundation meetings. Executive Committee members should expect an additional monthly meeting of 90 minutes.
• Society funded travel to budgeted in-person Board business, which may include:
  • ASSP’s annual Professional Development Conference
  • In person Board meetings (if required)
  • Regional Operation Committee meeting(s) (if designated)
  • Other approved ASSP or Industry events

II. Required Board Member Competencies

A. Member Value Focus

• Acts with members in mind
• Is dedicated to providing value to members
• Gets first-hand member information and uses it for improvements in products and services
• Actively engages with members to establish and maintain effective relationships and gain their trust and respect

B. Organizational Agility

• Knows ASSP councils and committees and their scope
• Exhibits curiosity about and understanding of ASSP history, processes and procedures
• Observes ASSP bylaws, society operating guidelines, polices, and procedures

C. Emotional Intelligence

• Has an earned reputation for emotional maturity, personal integrity and honesty
• Knows personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and limits
• Seeks feedback
• Gains insights from mistakes
• Welcomes constructive criticism

D. Collaboration

• Works effectively and collaboratively in a group
• Is willing to put aside conflicts to come together for the betterment of the organization

E. Demonstrated Professionalism

• Participates continually in skill and knowledge development
• Demonstrates a high level of personal and professional integrity, trustworthiness, ethics and values
• Displays flexibility and is open minded
• Demonstrates professional and appropriate conduct in public

F. Commitment to ASSP

• Demonstrates a commitment to ASSP through a history of participation in leadership roles, including ASSP Foundation contributions
• Displays willingness and ability to commit the necessary time to fulfill ASSP leadership responsibilities effectively
• Understands and actively supports the decisions and policies made by the ASSP Board of Directors, even if it differs from their personal point of view.
• Speaks positively and supportively, in any venue, about ASSP and its initiatives, positions and policies

Approved By | Date: Board of Directors | 1/2023
Replaces Edition Dated: 12/2019
Next Revision Due: 1/2026