Board of Directors
The Well
The Importance of Governance
The Well utilizes a biblical and best practice approach to its governance responsibility. By providing and enforcing biblically based policies that guide the Leadership, the Board creates a safety net that makes certain ministry is offered in a God-honoring way.
Excellence in Governance
In 2015, The Well adopted a model of governance called Policy Governance. In this model, Board members provide spiritual oversight, long-term vision and operational boundaries for the functioning of the whole organization. While they focus on these items, they entrust the implementation of their direction into the hands of staff and other ministry leaders through the leadership of the CEO. The benefit of this model is that it allows the Board to focus their time and energy ensuring The Well is achieving its mission, while allowing the aforementioned leaders the empowerment to lead ministries as God directs and make practical decisions on how to carry out the Board’s mandates.
Board Member Characteristics
Individual Responsibilities:
- Be familiar with The Well’s programs, polices and operations
- Attend board meetings and appropriate committee meetings
- Serve on board committees, as assigned
- Review agenda and supporting documents prior to meetings
- Keep current on community needs in program areas
- Identify and cultivate potential sources for funding
- Participate in fundraising activities, special and community events
- Participate in board development and learning activities
- Show support and commitment to The Well through sharing your time and financial resources according to your circumstances
- Strictly adhere to conflict of interest policies
- Strictly adhere to confidentiality policies
Time Demands
(approximately 80 hours/year)
- Terms are 3 years in length and a board member can serve two consecutive terms
- Attend new board member orientation (3–4 hrs)
- Prepare for scheduled meetings (1 hour per month)
- Attend and actively participate in board meetings (8 monthly board meetings, approx. 2 hrs) Note: You are expected to attend at least 80% of board meetings
- Attend and actively participate in the annual planning meeting (4–6 hrs)
- Attend and actively participate in the annual budget meeting (4–6 hrs)
- Attend and actively participate in annual board member candidate interviews (4–6 hrs)
- Attend and actively participate in the year-end celebration (2 hrs)
- As needed, attend and actively participate in committee meetings (1–3 hrs/month as determined by committee)
- Attend special events such as fundraisers, graduations and community events (2/year recommended)
- Attend and actively participate in board development activities (generally 4–8 hours annually)
- Meet with potential donors/funders to make a case for funding The Well, answer questions, etc. (approx.8/year)