Purpose

This outlines the responsibilities and commitments needed of candidates when they submit a nomination to serve on the DigntyUSA Board of Directors.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

Collectively the Directors of the organization must:

• Believe in and commit to the mission of DignityUSA
• Lead and direct the organization
• Make policy
• Supervise the executive director
• Develop, refine and carry out the strategic plan of DignityUSA
• Meet legal standards of duty
• Take on a governance role, and
• Respect executive director's authority as chief staff officer.

Individual responsibilities of a Director

Each Board member will:

• Commit to and participate in at least two-three in-person weekend and eight to nine hour long teleconference Board meetings per year of the two year term
• Use telephone and electronic mail to conduct business as a Board member in the most efficient and effective manner
• Participate in or act as the liaison for a DignityUSA committee
• Build coalitions within and outside DignityUSA
• Recruit volunteers to work for DignityUSA, and
• Raise or donate money for the organization to ensure revenues meet expenses.

Time commitment

Each Board member will spend an average of:

• Two or more hours per week reading and answering correspondence and participating in various committee assignments year-round
• Two to three weekends per year traveling to various cities for intensive weekend-long Board meetings
• Participate on monthly Board teleconference calls to the extent possible
• Meet other times as necessary, and
• Participate in official Dignity functions including the biennial convention and annual membership meetings.

Financial commitment

Each Board member is expected to:

• Make a substantive financial commitment DignityUSA, depending on personal circumstance
• Consider DignityUSA when planning one's estate
• Donate at least some of the expenses associated with the weekend meetings, and
• Identify and effectively solicit donors.

Skills needed

The Board of Directors needs a variety of skills to function optimally. Those skills include:

• Marketing
• Financial Management
• Organizational Development
• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising and Development
• Human Resource Management
• Public relations
• Professional writing and speaking skills
• Information Management
• Information Systems
• Legal
• Nonprofit organization administration
• Theology and Ecclesiology
• Project management and program oversight to support the mission of DignityUSA.

Becoming a Candidate

• If you feel that you, or someone you know, have (has) the skills, talent, time and energy to serve on the DignityUSA Board of Directors, please submit their or your name(s) on our online Nomination Form. 
• Your participation in this essential process ensures that DignityUSA remains a vibrant and life-giving organization, ready and able to serve you, the member.
• Questions, comments or concerns can be addressed to the Nominating Committee at nominations@dignityusa.org