Boards of Directors are accountable for a myriad of responsibilities, from financial oversight to determining how to best manage the resources of an organization. It is a highly-respected position which requires dedication and commitment from those boards of directors responsibilities who are willing to show up for unpaid meetings, pour over budget documents, and assume the legal responsibilities of a company. This is why it is essential that those interested in joining a committee of directors are aware of the actual responsibilities of their job will be prior to accepting the role.

Apart from the governing board of a corporation There are also special boards that are focused on specific areas, such as fundraising marketing, community brand awareness and connection. These boards typically consist of comprised of internal and external directors who bring different perspectives and expertise.

The primary responsibility is to ensure that they comply with their legal obligations. They are typically broken into three broad categories.

Duty of Care

The legal responsibilities of board directors in this field revolve around making decisions based on the best interests of the company and making sure that their choices are in accordance with all applicable laws and reporting requirements. This involves ensuring that they are aware of the legal organizing documents of the business and the board’s bylaws.

A board of directors must also be actively promoting their work and work to establish positive public relations for their organization. This is a responsibility that should be a natural to the most passionate and committed board members, however, it can be a challenge for other members who might not be as involved in their promotion of the organization’s work.