Join Our Board

Role of the Board

We’re proud to have a robust United Way in the Ada area. Each United Way is independent in its leadership and local in its focus, its funding, and the organizations it supports. Board members support the work of Ada Regional United Way and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance.

While day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director, the Board/Executive Director relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of all Board members is both critical and expected.

Responsibilities

• Regularly attend board meetings and important related meetings.
• Making a serious commitment to participate actively in Board and committee work.
• Volunteering for and willingly accepting assignments and completing them thoroughly and on time.
• Staying informed about Board matters, preparing well for meetings, and reviewing and commenting on minutes and reports.
• Getting to know other Board members and building a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
• Being an active participant in the Board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts.
• Participating in fundraising for the organization.
• Making a financial donation to the organization that is significant to you and that reflects a commitment to the organization.

Leadership, Governance, and Oversight

• Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as she develops and implements Ada Regional United Way’s strategic plan.
• Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by Ada Regional United Way to evaluate its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics.
• Reviewing agenda and supporting materials before Board and committee meetings.
• Approving Ada Regional United Way’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; being informed of, and meeting all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director.
• Assisting the Executive Director and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
• Partnering with the Executive Director and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out.
• Representing Ada Regional United Way to stakeholders; acting as an ambassador for the organization at events and in the community.
• Ensuring Ada Regional United Way’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities Ada Regional United Way serves.

Board Terms and Participation

• Board members serve a three-year term; members may serve two consecutive terms.
• Board meetings are typically held monthly, with no meeting in June. Currently, we meet every month on the 2nd Thursday, with both an in-person and virtual option. Board members are expected to attend all except when unavoidable conflicts exist.
• Committee meetings and additional full-Board meetings are held as needed to facilitate campaign planning and execution, and grant decision-making.

Qualifications

• Individuals must embrace Ada Regional United Way’s commitment to serve the local community in three areas of focus: Education, Health, and Financial Stability/Basic Needs.
• Candidates should have a commitment to equity and inclusion and to working towards the elimination of persistent disparities in our communities.
• Ideal candidates will have leadership stature in business, government, education, and/or philanthropy, and a track record of community leadership.
• Board members will demonstrate skills that enable them to collaborate with and attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board members.

By applying you are stating that you have read the above and agree to what Ada Regional United Way asks of its Board Members before applying. To join our Board, fill out the online or paper Board Application and submit it accordingly.