5. Governance and Structure

 

Strong governance is essential to the Scott G. Green Foundation’s effectiveness, credibility, and sustainability. The Board of Directors functions as a collective leadership body, but it also relies on clearly defined officer roles to ensure accountability, structure, and effective coordination.

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Each officer position serves a unique purpose and contributes to the efficient functioning of the Board. These leadership roles support not only the internal operations of the Board but also its ability to partner with staff and fulfill its fiduciary duties. Officers are elected by their peers and are expected to lead with transparency, dedication, and alignment to the Foundation’s mission.

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Board Officer Roles:

• Chairperson
  The Chairperson leads the Board of Directors by setting the tone for leadership and collaboration. This role includes presiding over meetings, facilitating strategic discussions, ensuring that Board business is conducted efficiently, and supporting the Executive Director as the Board’s primary liaison. The Chair also ensures that the Board remains focused on mission fulfillment and long-term sustainability, and may represent the Foundation publicly when appropriate.

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• Vice Chair
  The Vice Chair supports the Chairperson and steps in to fulfill leadership duties when the Chair is unavailable. This role often includes facilitating committee coordination, mentoring other Board members, and helping ensure follow-through on Board goals. The Vice Chair is typically viewed as the Chairperson-in-training and may assume the Chair role in a future term.

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• Secretary
  The Secretary ensures that all Board records are accurate, accessible, and compliant with legal and organizational standards. This includes recording meeting minutes, maintaining Board rosters, assisting with scheduling and notifications, and ensuring that governance documents—such as bylaws and policies—are up to date and properly archived.

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• Treasurer
  The Treasurer plays a critical role in safeguarding the Foundation’s financial health. This includes overseeing financial reporting, monitoring budgets and cash flow, helping interpret financial documents for the Board, and working closely with staff or accountants to ensure transparency and compliance with IRS and nonprofit best practices. The Treasurer also chairs or serves on the Finance and Development Committee.

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Governance Relationship with Staff Leadership

While the Board governs the organization, it does not manage daily operations. That responsibility rests with the Executive Director, who is appointed by and reports directly to the Board. The Executive Director leads the implementation of the Foundation’s mission, supervises staff, manages programming, handles fundraising efforts, and serves as the bridge between the Board and day-to-day operations.

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A strong Board–Executive Director relationship is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared commitment to the Foundation’s mission and values. The Board provides guidance and oversight, while the Executive Director provides leadership and execution.