Ah, the grey area of COMMITTEES:
How do we define board vs. staff roles? Well, "it depends," so be sure to discuss expectations within your own board.
Board members: remember that you may be playing 3 roles simultaneously, even in one discussion:
1. Representing the board's GOVERNING level guidance and strategic goals
2. Serving as UNPAID STAFF in decision-making about how to operationalize those goals
3. Serving as VOLUNTEERS in getting the work done.
Say those roles out loud! And when you are acting as staff or volunteer, TAKE DIRECTION FROM the executive director or staff point-person. When you're acting as a board member, you remind the committee of the board's decisions and guidance but you do not have power in your own opinion - the board acts as a group, not as individual bosses to staff.
What it might look like in a development committee:
"With my board hat on, I want to remind us that our strategic goal is to increase major donor outreach rather than rely too much on the annual appeal. In my helping role here as "extra staff," should we go over the list of past donors, prioritize names, and how to approach them? And with my volunteer hat on, do you need some help stuffing and mailing letters for the annual appeal, or helping set up the silent auction next month?"
