Committee Member – Governance
Housing Families Inc.

ChildrenEducationPoverty
919 Eastern Ave, Malden, MA 02148
Phone (781) 322 - 9119 ext. 115

Committee Member – Governance

ChildrenEducationPoverty
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Our board The Board of Directors of Housing Families Inc. is the governing body of the organization. Their purpose is to
set policy; hire, evaluate, and support the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); perform short term and long-term
planning; participate in fund development; and oversee the financial viability of the agency. The Board is self perpetuating
and comprised of a diverse group of persons that can meet the needs of the organization.

The structure of the Board includes a Development Committee, Education Committee, Finance Committee,
Nominating and Governance Committee, Property Committee, and other Ad Hoc committees as needed.*

*Subject to change
Position Governance and Nominating Committee

 

Mandate:

The purpose of the Governance and Nominating Committee is to recruit and support Board officers and members, and ensure the Board adheres to bylaws and board governing processes. This committee is responsible for establishing and executing a recruitment process for Board Members and succession planning for Board Officers that attracts people with a diverse set of talents and perspectives to work together to fulfill the nonprofit’s mission.

The Governance and Nominating Committee will measure the quality of the Board’s performance on a board and individual levels to ensure optimal performance.

Responsibilities:

  • Periodically review the governing documents of the organization and ensure bylaws are consistent with applicable laws and mission; amend such governing documents as necessary.

  • Develop a board member and officer recruitment strategy, taking into account desired skill sets and diverse perspectives.

  • With the Board, continually identify and recruit candidates for Board and officer positions consistent with such strategy.

  • Ensure timely and compliant elections of Board members and officers.

  • With Development staff, onboard new Board members and Officers.

  • Annually review the performance of the board and committees and make recommendations, as appropriate.

  • Annually review the performance of, and any perceived or actual conflicts involving, individual board members.

  • Recommend the request for resignation or removal of a board member, as appropriate.

  • Recommend retention and re-election of incumbent board members, as appropriate.

  • Maintain appropriate separation between board governance and operation/management roles
Desired skills
*required		 Board*
When Hybrid: Zoom and in the Greater Malden area
Where Every other month; FY24 schedule TBD
Commitment 1 to 3 hours/month
Donation Organization requires a specific amount of “give or get” for all board members.
Requirements Participation:

-Attend at least 80% of Board meetings and Board activities. Review agenda and supporting materials prior to meetings.
-Join at least one committee and participate fully in its activities.
-Be informed about the organization's mission, services, policies, and programs.
-Participate in other Board activities, such as strategic planning and Board assessments.
-Act as an ambassador for Housing Families within your network and community:
o Attend special events.
o Introduce the organization to friends, family, and colleagues to build a cadre of supporters for Housing Families.
-Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization's field.
-Assist in the Board recruitment and nominating process.

Organizational Development:
-Responsible for hiring, evaluating, and supporting Housing Families’ CEO.
-Regularly review the organization’s mission and purpose.
-Ensure effective organizational planning. As stewards of the organization, Board
members must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in achieving
the plan’s goals.

Financial and Fiduciary responsibility:
-Ensure that the Board carries out its fiduciary responsibilities:
-Review budgets and financial statements on a regular basis. Approve the annual budget.
-Sign a conflict-of-interest statement annually and disclose all potential conflicts in advance to the Board and Development Staff.
-Serve as an ethical member of the Board in a manner that promotes the best interests of the organization.
-Incorporate core values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in decision processes; widely communicate and invest in DEIB priorities; work with HFI team to build DEIB goals as metrics for organizational and employee performance; recruit and maintain a diverse an inclusive board.
-Nurture a culture of inclusion with attention to key practices, set clear expectations for inclusive leadership behaviors, and align the mission of the organization to the broader equity issues being faced by the communities Housing Families serves.

Legal responsibility:
- Exercise duty of care. Each Board member has a legal responsibility to participate actively in making decisions on behalf of the organization and to exercise their best judgment while doing so—including determining use of the budget allocated for
fundraising activities.
-Exercise duty of loyalty. Each Board member must put the interests of the organization before their personal and professional interests when acting on behalf of the organization in a decision-making capacity.
-Exercise duty of obedience. Board members bear the legal responsibility of ensuring that
the organization complies with the applicable federal, state, and local laws and adheres
to its mission.
On-boarding New Board members will take part in our onboarding program which includes a personalized engagement plan, access to our resource library in our Board portal, and one-on-one introductory meetings.
Our mission

Housing Families works to end family homelessness. We provide safe, temporary shelter and quality affordable housing to homeless and at-risk families. We offer individualized supportive services to enrich children’s lives, nurture the potential of each family member, and help families maintain permanent housing.
Causes
Children, Education, Poverty