BOARD OF DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Determine and support the mission and goals of the Horse Protection League (HPL).
2. Select and support HPL’s staff, and assess their performance.
3. Ensure effective organizational planning.
4. Participate in fundraising to ensure the stability and sustainability of the organization.
5. Exercise fiduciary responsibility and oversight of HPL’s assets.
6. Determine, monitor and strengthen HPL’s programs and services.
7. Enhance HPL’s public standing by advocating for the organization in the community.
8. Ensure ethical integrity and maintain accountability to the community.
9. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance.

INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

General Expectations

1. Become a member of HPL within one month of joining the board of directors.
2. Know the organization’s goals, policies, programs and services; and its strengths and needs.
3. Suggest board candidates.
4. Serve in leadership positions and undertake special assignments when asked.
5. Serve on at least one committee of the board of directors.
6. Follow trends in equine animal welfare.

Meetings

1. Prepare for and participate in board and its committee meetings, and other organizational activities.
2. Ask timely and substantive questions, while ultimately supporting board decisions.
3. Maintain confidentiality of the HPL’s activities unless they are a matter of public record.
4. Speak on behalf of the board when asked to do so by the president.
5. Suggest agenda items for board and committee meetings to ensure that significant policyrelated matters are addressed.

Relationship with Staff

1. Counsel the president and staff as appropriate and offer support.
2. Avoid asking for special favors of the staff without prior consultation with the board president.
3. Should a staff member bring a grievance directly to you, forward the matter to the president without commenting on or responding to the complaint.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

1. Avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest and disclose any possible conflicts to the president in a timely fashion.
2. Maintain objectivity, and do what a sense of fairness, ethics and personal integrity dictates.
3. Never accept or offer favors or gifts, from or to anyone, who does business with HPL.

Fiduciary Responsibility

1. Develop, approve, follow and enforce HPL’s financial policies and controls.
2. Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements.
3. Review and approve the annual budget.

Fundraising

1. Assist with the cultivation of major donors.
2. Make a yearly financial gift to HPL that is personally significant.
3. Occasionally make thank-you calls and write thank-you notes to donors and members.
4. Host, or co-host, an event to introduce HPL to your friends, colleagues and neighbors.
5. Participate in HPL activities including: Annual Gala, Educational Clinics, Tack Sale, Spring and Fall Cleanings. Encourage your friends and family to participate in these events.
6. Promote HPL activities on your social media platform(s).