Board Chair's Role

Policy Statement

The Board Chair is the Chief Officer of the Board. The Board Chair shall:

• Be a duly elected member of the Board.
• Ensure the integrity of Board processes.
• Lead the Board in the development, implementation, assessment, and improvement of Board goals related to governance process and Ends policies.
• Set a positive servant leadership tone for all Trustees to follow.
• Speak on behalf of the Board as its primary public spokesperson regarding Board decisions and in any special circumstances that are specifically authorized by the Board as a whole.
• Represent the Board, or ensure Board representation, at official events.
• Ensure Board and individual Trustee actions are consistent with applicable law, Board bylaws, and Board policy.
• Confer with the CEO in the development of Board agenda to ensure timely and proper Board consideration of items requiring its attention.
• Preside over all meetings of the Board.
  • • Ensure all meetings of the Board are conducted in an efficient and effective mannerand in accordance with the bylaws and applicable law.
    • Stimulate substantive Trustee discussion on issues and decisions. o Ensure discussion and deliberation at the Board meetings focuses on issues and decisions, which, according to Board policy, belong to the Board, not the CEO.
    • Ensure all deliberation at Board meetings on issues and decisions is orderly, fair, open, and thorough.
    • Attempt to develop Trustee consensus on Board decisions.
• Call emergency and special meetings of the Board.
• Ensure Board and Trustee compliance with the provisions in the Governance Process and Board Staff Relationship policies.
• Not make decisions regarding implementation of the Ends and Executive Limitations policies. Such implementation is reserved for the CEO.
• Communicate the Board’s decisions to the CEO. Since the CEO is responsible to the entire Board, the Board Chair has no authority to unilaterally supervise or direct the CEO.
• Ensure that the other Board members are informed of current and pending Board issues and processes.
• Recommend to the Board members of committees established by the Board.
• Be responsible for Board and Trustee conduct and discipline as it relates to Board policy.
• Support and meet with the CEO on a regular basis to enhance communication, clarify Board direction as it relates to policy, and strengthen the Board-CEO relationship.
• Ensure the Trustees are informed of Board issues and processes.
• Ensure that all newly elected Trustees engage in Trustee orientation activities.
• Ensure the Board participates in Board development activities.
• Ensure the Board participates annually in self-evaluation activities.
• Ensure the Board regularly evaluates the CEO.
• Sign documents on behalf of the College as may be required.
• Perform other duties as may be prescribed by law or authorized and directed by the Board. 

Change Log

• 06-05-80  Initial Approval
• 12-15-87  Reviewed 
• 02-25-88  Revised
• 04-17-18  Revised; referenced in former Policy 1.3.1
• 04-28-20  Revised and adopted

Print This Page