Board Chair Job Description

Preamble

• The Board meets regularly in order to fulfill its mission. Effective meetings require effective chairpersons!
• The board chairperson(s) shall chair no more than two meetings in a row.
• Selection of the board chairperson(s) shall be decided by consensus by the directors’ previous meeting.

The duties of the board chairperson shall include:

• Facilitating the drafting of the agenda with input from the President and the Secretary.
• Allocating time for each agenda item.
• Reviewing [Rusty’s Rules] and ensuring the meeting is following them.
• Facilitating board meetings:
  • Guiding the board through its meetings to help fulfill Bike Edmonton’s mission.
  • Encouraging members to participate in their preferred capacity. Helping members of the board be aware that the meeting’s success is the mutual responsibility of the whole group.
  • Listening actively to each person’s contribution and encouraging active listening among committee members.
  • Regulating the flow of discussion – checking in with quiet people, or those with the most relevant expertise, and limiting those who tend to speak often.
  • Keeping discussion on topic and meeting on time.
  • Clarifying and summarizing points, testing for agreement among members, and formalizing decisions by vote.
  • Chair may pause the meeting in order for the Secretary to collect pertinent information.
  • Staying neutral in discussion, providing a governance perspective when necessary. Casting a vote only in the event of a split vote.
  • When the chairperson decides to join the conversation and make non-objective, non-process related arguments, the chairperson must step down from the chair position and designate a temporary chair.
• Recognizing each board member's contribution to the group’s work.
• Ensuring that the board remains motivated and completes their action items from previous meetings.
• Knowing staff members' roles and making sure they have an opportunity to be heard before recommendations are made.
• Making sure meeting minutes with action items, decisions and other relevant information are recorded, submitted to the Secretary, and distributed to board members in a timely manner.
• Orienting the new board chairperson.

Dates of Effect

Date Approved, Revisioned and Active Approved February 27, 2013

Date Expired Enter Date Information