Growing Business & Community - Serving as a Board of Director

Growing Business & Community - Serving as a Board of Director
4/7/23

The Chamber of Commerce is governed by a volunteer board of directors, composed of businesses and organizations of the Chamber.  We also have elected leaders serve as ex-officio, non voting members.  Lately our board has been busy!  They have been actively meeting monthly since August of last year working on leadership structure, strategic planning, financial responsibility regarding creating a budget that will move our region forward and a new logo and name.  

Board members support the work of the Chamber and provide mission based leadership and strategic governance.  While day-to-day operations are led by the Chamber’s President (me) the board and President relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Governance and policy making are the responsibility of the Board. They control the Chamber’s property, are responsible for our financial outlook and determine our program direction.

SInce the beginning of the year, we have featured a board member on our website, social media and in our member newsletter.  We have a broad representation of members from real estate and retail to service based businesses.  Many of our board members also serve on other boards.  They are true community leaders and we are appreciative of all they have done to move our Chamber into a new direction.

Board terms are 3 years and members can serve up to two consecutive terms.  We will be accepting letters of interest starting in June, with the interview process starting in September.  Our new board members are generally voted upon in November for their term commencing in January.  

Specific Board Member responsibilities include:

Leadership, governance and oversight

⦁ Attending regular monthly meetings and special/called meetings of the Board and committees on which the member serves.

⦁ Serving as a trusted advisor to Board member colleagues and to the CEO as she/he develops and implements the Chamber’s strategic plan and its associated tasks.

⦁ Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by the Chamber for evaluating its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics.

⦁ Reviewing the agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.

⦁ Approving the Chamber’s annual budget, financial reports, and material business decisions. 

⦁ Helping ensure that the Chamber meets its legal and fiduciary responsibilities as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.

⦁ Assisting the Bard chair and President / CEO in identifying and recruiting other potential Board Members. 

⦁ Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments as needed. 

⦁ Representing the Chamber to stakeholders and acting as an ambassador for the organization in accordance with the Chamber’s mission, vision and values

⦁ Assisting the Chamber’s membership growth by identifying and communicating to the CEO and staff potential new Chamber members

⦁ Supporting the programs and activities of the Chamber through attendance.

⦁ Freely offering ideas and suggestions to position the Chamber to achieve its mission and vision

⦁ Periodically reviewing the NRRCC mission, vision and values for its relevance, effectiveness and accuracy, given the state of the community, business climate and trends.

If you are interested in growing business and community as a Board of Director, contact the Chamber office and we will be happy to let you know more.  Visit www.NiagaraRiverRegion.com or call 716-754-9500.

Jennifer Pauly
President