The Independent Living Philosophy holds that all people with disabilities have the right to maintain control and responsibility for their goals and life choices. Support may come through education, advocacy, training, personal assistance, and sometimes public financial supports. The Disability Rights Movement is a civil rights movement impacted by political action and advocacy for all persons with disabilities.
BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES AND BACKGROUND
The Board of Directors of the organization is responsible for determining the organization goals, policy, and approving the annual budget. As a group and individually, members of the Board are legally and morally responsible for all activities of the organization.
MISSION STATEMENT
We promote equality, inclusion and independence through Personal Choice, Personal Responsibility, Community Access, Education and Employment. Our goal is to help each person find and utilize the necessary, available resources on their personal journey to independence.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Continues the corporate existence of the organization to provide independent living services to persons with diverse disabilities
2. Shall support, encourage, and promote the philosophies of the Independent Living and Disability Civil Rights Movements
3. Ensures that the organization carries out the intent of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other governing laws that protect individuals with disabilities.
4. Ensures that the organization operates within the parameters of the Articles of Incorporation, Policy and Procedure manuals, and the By-laws; reviews and/or adopts revisions to the By-laws and the Policy and Procedure manual as necessary.
5. Acts on proposed revisions to the By-laws and the Policy and Procedure Manuals.
6. Determines and assumes responsibility for internal policies and adopts policy to determine the purpose, governing principles, functions, activities and course of action of the organization.
7. Regularly evaluates and reviews the organization’s operations and maintains standards of performance.
8. Monitors the activities of the organization, including: reviewing reports of appropriate committees, confirming, modifying or rejecting proposals, providing feedback on committee plans or the Executive Director’s actions.
9. Provides ideas, leadership and prestige to the organization and inspires confidence in its services.
10. Understands and interprets our center’s work to the community.
11. Relates the services of the centers to the work of other agencies and focuses on social reform and progress in the community as a whole and enhances the organization’s public standing.
12. Selects and employs the Executive Director and evaluates the Director’s job performance.
13. Elects and recruits new board members within the organization’s recruitment policy as vacancies occur.
14. Approves and monitors the corporate finances of the center.
15. Ensures compliance of budgeted expenditures to the contracts issued by the Rehabilitation Service Administration, Department of Rehabilitation and other local, state and federal funding agencies.
16. Authorizes, reviews, and approves the annual audit and tax filing (990).
17. Secures and maintains satisfactory facilities in which to carry out the organization’s functions; approves all recommendations dealing with rental agreements, capital improvements of the facilities or purchase of additional land and buildings.
18. Attends all annual board training sessions.
19. Understands that the board is responsible for and takes the lead role in the organization’s fund raising efforts and other activities.
20. Members of the Board of Directors are expected to serve at least a two (2) year term.
BACKGROUND:
Knowledge and Experience: Must demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of persons with disabilities and the organization’s service goals. Experience and/or knowledge in at least one of the following elements are desirable: Independent Living, advocacy, administration, management, finance, personnel, program development, legal skills, public relations, or communications.
Other: Must be able to regularly attend board meeting, participate on board committees, and familiarize self with agenda and attachments prior to each board meeting.
Note: The Board of Directors composition should reflect the population of the communities being served in terms of geographical area, ethnicity, gender and disability. Therefore, it is required that at least 51 percent of the governing body be people with disabilities.
ESTIMATED TIME REQUIREMENTS:
Active Board Participation: Two to four hours bi-monthly. This includes attending board, committee, reviewing agenda packet prior to meetings, and making essential telephone calls.
Leadership Responsibilities: An additional two hours monthly. This includes positions such as board officers, advisory board membership, organization volunteer, and committee chairpersons.
If you are interested in becoming a Board Member, please complete the form below or download the Walton Options Board Job Description and the Walton Options Board Application and return it to the Board Chair email or mail it marked Confidential to WOIL Executive Director, Tiffany Clifford, Walton Options, PO BOX 519, Augusta, GA 30903
Board Application Form
Form for interested parties to apply for Board Membership