Board of Directors Job Description & Expectations

Purpose of the board of directors: To advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance (SCVHA) so as to support the organization’s mission and needs.  

Mission: To connect people to the cultural, historic, and natural treasures of the Santa Cruz Valley through education, preservation and promotion of its unique resources.   

*Major responsibilities: 

• Organizational leadership and advisement 
• Management of the board of directors, officers, and committees 
• Formulation and oversight of policies and procedures  
• Financial management, including adoption and oversight of the annual budget 
• Oversight of program planning and evaluation for the National Heritage Area 
• Executive Director hiring, supervision and evaluation  
• Review of organizational and programmatic reports 
• Promotion of the organization 
• Participate in and support fundraising and outreach activities 
• Financially support the organization to the best of your ability with a stretch gift annually 

 *Members of the board share these responsibilities while acting in the interest of Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance. Each member is expected to make recommendations based on his or her experience and vantage point in the community. 

Length of term: Directors serve three-year terms, for no more than two (2) successive terms (6 years total). Members who reach the six (6) successive year limit may re-apply to serve on the board of directors no sooner than one year after the end of the six (6) year limit.      

Meetings and time commitment:  

• The board of directors meets a minimum of bimonthly at 2:30 p.m. at various locations in Tucson and Santa Cruz County. Meetings typically last two hours.   
• Committees of the board meet monthly or bimonthly, depending on respective work agendas. The Grant Evaluation Committee may meet more frequently during the selection phase. 

Expectations of board members: 

• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and special events as able, but no fewer than nine (9) board meetings annually (75% attendance). 
• Actively serve on at least two standing committees. Committees are:   
•      Governance (Board recruitment and management, Committee/Council development, etc.)  
•      Finance & Resource Development (budget, investments oversight of federal match, fundraising, special events, partnerships) 
•      Grant Evaluation Committee (review and scoring of sub-grant proposals, deliberation and selection of awards)   
•      Executive Committee (made up of officers and committee chairs)  
• Serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary.  
• Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by SCVHA’s mission and the goals of the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. 
• Help communicate and promote SCVHA’s mission and programs to the community. 
• Assist SCVHA in gaining community support by exercising personal and professional contacts whenever possible and appropriate.   
• Become familiar with SCVHA finances, budget, and financial/resource needs. 
• Understand the policies and procedures of SCVHA. 
• Financially support SCVHA in a manner commensurate with one’s ability. There is an expectation that board members will support and attend SCVHA fundraising events and donate to funding appeals as their financial situation allows. 

Qualifications:  

• Commitment to the missions, goals and program of SCVHA. 
• Available time. This is an active working board of directors.  
• Ability to work in concert with the other members of board and staff. 
• Experience or knowledge in at least one of the following areas:   
• Planning 
•     Program development (cultural resources, historic preservation, natural resources, or recreational resources) 
•     Fundraising (leadership, involvement) 
•     Public relations and community relations 
•     Government relations 
•     Finance (accounting, bookkeeping) 
•     Law