Board Commitment Form

2024-2025 Board Member Commitment Form

The Friendship Circle of VA (FCVA) Board of Directors exists to secure and promote the financial, legal, and ethical wellbeing of the organization and to ensure that it fulfill the mission of the organization:

To create an inclusive community by facilitating friendships and social opportunities for people with and without disabilities to connect through meaningful social experiences at home and throughout the community.  We  celebrate the differences and similarities of every person, valuing each of us as an integral part of the community.

As a member of the Board of Directors of Friendship Circle of Virginia, I understand that I have a duty of care to always work in the best interests of the organization, a duty of loyalty to put the good of the organization first and avoid any conflicts of interest, and to honor the central goals of the organization and follow its governing documents, as well as to be a faithful ambassador of Friendship Circle in the community.

The FCVA Board of Directors understands that Friendship Circle of Virginia is an independent organization and a project of Chabad of Virginia as outlined in the bylaws. Friendship Circle has it’s own Directors and Officers insurance for it’s board members.

In furtherance of these commitments and responsibilities I will put forth my best individual effort to:

• Attend, fully prepare for, and diligently participate in at least 8 out of 11 annual board meetings. If I am unable to attend a meeting, I will let the FCVA staff know within one week of the meeting. If I have missed more than 3 meetings, I understand that the board president will reach out to discuss my board position responsibilities with me.
• Attend at least 2 events annually.
• Make an annual personal financial contribution of my choice and assist in fundraising endeavors of the organization. If I am unable to contribute financially, I will let the Board President know.
• Actively participate in helping to develop resources for the organization and leveraging community contacts to grow FCVA.
• Act in the best interests of the organization, and excuse myself from discussions and votes where I have a conflict of interest.
• Represent the organization in a positive and supportive manner at all times.
• Strive to keep abreast of trends, issues, and current developments that may affect the organization.
• Stay informed about what is going on in the organization, asking questions and requesting information as needed. I will participate in and take responsibility for making decisions on issues, policies, and other board matters.
• Actively and respectfully voice my opinions and concerns, and open-mindedly consider everyone else’s opinions and concerns, in all board decision making. I will trust that we all share a constant passion for this organization’s mission.
• Exercise my authority as a board member only when acting in a meeting with the full board or when appointed by the board.

• Work collaboratively with staff and other board members as partners toward achievement of our goals.
• Strictly maintain the confidentiality of all privileged or sensitive information provided to me to safeguard the organization’s reputation and integrity, as well as the privacy rights of individuals and donors connected with the organization and the Board. I accept this principle as one that should survive my period of board service.

If I do not fulfill these commitments to the organization, I will expect the board president to discuss my responsibilities with me.

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In turn, I expect the organization to be responsible to me in the following ways:

• Providing me with regular financial reports and updates on significant organizational and personnel activities.
• Providing me with opportunities to discuss important organizational issues with the board chair and executive director as appropriate.
• The staff and board members will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions that I feel are necessary to carry out my responsibilities to this organization. Board members and staff will work with me in good faith toward achievement of our goals.
• Provide D&O Insurance so I am protected as I serve.

If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to me, I can call on the board chair to discuss the organization’s responsibilities.

I certify by my signature that I understand the foregoing expectations that accompany my board service and will do my best to live up to them as a member of the Board of Friendship Circle of Virginia.