What are typical job descriptions for the officers on a congregational board? Here is summary of typical roles and responsibilities.

President (aka Moderator, Board Chair)

• Holds overall responsibility for the integrity of the decision-making process of the board
• Serves as primary financial signatory for the congregation
• Sets a tone for meetings that reminds the board it is leading the mission and vision of a faith community (e.g. lighting a chalice, sharing an opening reading or hymn, checking-in on everyone's personal and spiritual lives)
• Designs meeting agendas (in conversation with minister or executive/executive team) in alignment with annual goals
• Sends out a board packet with the agenda and reports 5-7 days before the board meeting
• Manages the time the board spends on its work
• Fosters a culture of trust and transparency
• Fosters a culture of accountability of people following through on their commitments
• Fosters a culture of learning with ongoing educational opportunities for the board
• Fosters a culture of hospitality and inclusion for different cultural expressions and lead in creating and articulating shared group expectations
• Trains and on-boards new board members (this can be delegated) and next President
• Chairs board meetings (this can be delegated or rotated)
  • Keeps meeting on track so that all business can be completed in the allotted time
  • Makes sure all voices are heard before bringing a motion to a vote

Vice President (aka Assistant, Moderator, Board Chair)

• In the absence of the President, acts with all of the powers and functions listed above.
• Is in regular consultation with the President so that they are ready and able to serve as needed
• May be "president elect"
• Often may serve as a board liaison to or a convener of a Program Council, in congregations with that format.

Secretary

• Holds overall responsibility for the integrity of the documents created by the work of the board
• Takes attendance at board meetings and ensures there is a quorum (defined by the bylaws) at both board and congregational meetings
• Takes and records minutes including
  • Meeting's date & time
  • Who is in attendance
  • Reports
  • Text of motions, actions, proposed actions, decisions and assignments including movers and seconders of motions. A general but not detailed description of discussion may also be included.
  • Time the meeting adjourned
• Sends out minutes to board members within 5-7 days after the meeting so that action items and assignments are remembered
• Makes approved minutes available to the congregation's members
  • Gives a summary of board decisions in the congregation's news communications (may be delegated)
• Keeps an indexed record of board-approved policies and procedures and makes them available to the congregation's members

Treasurer

• Holds overall responsibility for the integrity of the financial oversight that is the work of the board
• Responsible for understanding and reporting the financial status and health of the congregation
• Provides an up-to-date concise ("dashboard") report of the congregation's financial status for review by the rest of the board
• Responsible for proposing policies that provide secure checks and balances regarding financial matters (may be delegated)
• Responsible for understanding and complying with the congregation's financial policies
• Responsible for understanding and complying with the government laws and rules that apply to the congregation (may be delegated)

Recorder (optional, can be delegated)

• Responsible for keeping an accurate record of congregational membership

All Trustees

• Show respect and appreciation for members and staff of the congregation
• Be familiar with the congregation's bylaws and policies
• Regular attendance at board meetings
• Make a financial commitment to the congregation at a leadership level
• Agree to disagree in private but to support the decisions of the board in public
• Keep confidentiality around personnel and other matters held in Executive Session
• Serve in a way that the individual's gift match the needs of the congregation
• Serve in a way that supports the president's leadership
• Serve in a way that includes and encourages different cultural expressions and creates shared group expectations
• Be in service and accountable to the goals, Mission, Vision and Covenant of the congregation, not one's own needs or desires.
• Be a learner

Resources

• Called to Serve: Creating and Nurturing the Effective Volunteer Board by Max DePree (Eerdmans, 2001)
• Board Member Orientation: The Concise and Complete Guide to Nonprofit Board Service by Michael E. Batts (Accountability Press, 2011)
• Make Your Board Dramatically More Effective, Starting Today: A Board Member's Guide to Asking the Right Questions by Gayle L. Gifford (Emerson & Church, 2012)