Board Structure and Responsibilities
- The Board guides the Timebank according to its mission towards its goals.
- Board positions are volunteer, work-oriented positions. These are not simply advisory roles.
- Board candidates must be active members of the Timebank for at least 3 months and attend 2 meetings before being eligible for the Board.
- Board members should expect a minimum time commitment of 10 hours per month.
- Board members must be active members of the Timebank, maintaining a profile, and posting an offer or request at least once every 6 months.
- Board members are required to participate in or lead one of the following committees: fundraising, administration, tech, outreach and regularly attend committee meetings, and report back to the rest of the Board and membership.
- Board members must be on the Timebank listserv and keep current with Timebank communications.
- Board members must regularly communicate its activities and the activities of the Timebank with the membership through meetings and the newsletter. Since decision-making authority is shared with the general membership, the Board is responsible for getting feedback from the membership, working out proposal details and providing the membership with refined recommendations to consider.
- Board members oversee staff if applicable. Timebank staff is immediately responsible to the Board and the Board shall make staffing decisions. Board members coordinate facilitating and taking minutes at general Timebank meetings.
- Board members must attend a minimum of 6 meetings per year.
- Board members on the administrative committee, may be required to maintain legal and financial responsibilities such as signing contracts and being responsible for the financial health of the Timebank.
- Board members not fulfilling these requirements may be voted out by a simple majority.
- Board candidates may be nominated by self, Board or general membership. It is preferable to elect Board members who have demonstrated active commitment to the Timebank.
- There can be between 4 and 8 Board members.
- The Board is currently selected by the core group of volunteers for the next 6 months to provide continuity and stability.
- The top 4-8 candidates will be voted in the first meeting in April by all Timebank members attending that meeting. Those positions will last 1 year with one possible reelection.
- After 2 terms, Board members may continue their service on the Board if deemed necessary by a majority vote of the Board, minus the termed out Board member.
- Elections will be held online to facilitate maximum member participation.
- Board members may resign at any time during their terms by providing written notice to the Board. Board members are encouraged to give advance notice of their resignation.
Decision-Making
- There may be between 12 and 24 meeting per year depending on need for decision-making, action and good communication.
- At least half of the current Board members must be present to make decisions.
- Members may vote at meetings. In order to vote, one must be an active Timebank member.
- All significant decisions will be made at in person meetings with any Timebank members attending (with the exception of emergencies, which may allow an email decision approved by total consensus of the Board).
- The purpose of consensus is good communication, facilitating collective wisdom, and making decisions that most members can support. After full discussion, a consensus vote may be called and Board and members may vote the following: thumbs up (support decision), thumb sideways (stand aside-allow proposal to pass with concerns that should be voiced), thumbs down (block decision-can not allow proposal to pass for serious concerns). Any concerns should be discussed. Proposal should be modified accordingly. Consensus will be called again. On the second round of voting, one block is permitted. If there is more than one block that cannot be resolved, the issue is tabled until the next meeting at which time a 2/3 majority may pass the issue if consensus is not first achieved.
- General direction and final decision-making authority rests with the entire membership, not just the Board. Members and other volunteers may vote like Board members at monthly or bimonthly meetings.
- Minor decisions deemed to be relatively uncontroversial may be made in Committee or among the Board in between meetings in order to facilitate work getting done. These meetings may be appealed at the general membership meetings.
- Board meeting minutes shall be made available to the public through the Timebank listserv and the BACE wiki page.