What does the Friendly House Board do?
The Board is charged with overall management and governance of Friendly House. The Board holds Friendly House in trust for the good of the community.
The Board's general areas of responsibility are:

Planning and Evaluation
Create a vision
Encourage planning
Develop goals
Ensure mission is honored
Evaluate organization and chief staff

Financial and Fundraising
Board has fiduciary responsibility to ensure Friendly House operates in a financially healthy manner
Obtain and manage finances
Approve budget
Make sure funds are well spent
Approve contracts

Policy Development
Develop policies and ensure their compliance

Public Relations
Represent Friendly House in the community
Ensure positive image of Friendly House in the community

Legal
Develop and maintain articles of incorporation and bylaws
Maintain 501(c)3 status
Assure compliance with all laws
Approve legal documents and ensure their safekeeping
Assure compliance with governmental and tax reporting
Keep accurate records, including minutes

Personnel
Make sure personnel policies are up to date
Make sure wage scales and job descriptions are consistent with market
Make sure employment laws are being followed
Hire and oversee chief executive Board development
Board Development
Develop and maintain a strong board
Recruit and train new members

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What are the expectations of Board members?

1. Commitment to the mission of Friendly House
a. Share the organization's values as stated in the mission: Friendly House creates a thriving community by connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through quality educational, recreational and other life-sustaining services.
b. Serve with fairness, honesty, and without self-interest.
c. Become familiar with the organization's programs, operations, and staff. Visit one program at least once a year and become acquainted with staff members.
d. Support and nurture the Executive Director and provide written feedback on his or her performance.

2. Commitment to the Board structure
a. Attend monthly meetings
b. Serve on at least one Board committee
c. Understand and evaluate the organization's budget and financial statements.

3. Commitment to developing resources for Friendly House
a. Give your own gift to Friendly House first. Make Friendly House a priority in personal giving to ensure that 100% of the Board contributes financially. Pledge by October 1 of each year; honor pledge by June 30 of the following year. (Board members typically give between $100 and $2,500 year.)
b. Serve as an ambassador for the organization in the community by spreading word of its mission and accomplishments. Ask others to follow your example and make a commitment to Friendly House. Specifically, invite at least 8 people to Friendly House over the course of a year, to take a tour, to see our programs in action, to observe or volunteer with special programs like Back-2-School Bank and Holiday Store, or to attend the annual spring fund?raising event. Work with the Development Committee to help these 8 people increase their interest and involvement in Friendly House.
c. Help develop new Board members. Suggest at least 4 people over the course of a year to serve on Friendly House's Board. Help the committee in charge of Board membership to educate potential Board members and recruit them to serve on the Board.
d. Attend special events of the organization, especially the annual fundraising event held in the spring. Help to sell tickets and publicize.
e. Consider a remembrance of Friendly House in your estate planning.

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How are Board members and leaders selected?

Although the Board year officially begins with September, the Board recruits members year-round. Candidates come from a variety of backgrounds and share a common interest in and involvement with Friendly House. The sources for Board members, as set out in the Bylaws, are a third each from the neighborhood, First Presbyterian Church and the community at large.

How new members are added:
1. Candidates are nominated by Board members, staff, or volunteers.
2. The Board evaluates a candidate based upon his or her skills, expertise and characteristics and his or her knowledge of and involvement in programs and services. The Board also considers what specific skills, expertise, characteristics or other attributes the Board needs at the time.
3. The Board formally votes upon a candidate.

Terms last three years. They may begin right away. Some candidates wish to delay the start of their terms for a month or two. Board members may elect to serve a second three-year term. Board members who serve as president in their sixth year may serve a seventh year on the Board. To select Board leaders, the Board president convenes a Nominating Committee each July or August. This Committee proposes a slate of officers whom the Board votes upon at the September Board meeting.

Board Presidents since 1990
2008 Liz Schilling
2007 Liz Schilling
2006 Ann Bartsch
2005 Ann Bartsch
2004 Walt Meihoff
2003 Ruth Roth
2002 Sarah Ferguson
2001 Nancy Winter
2000 Nancy Winter
1999 Terry Fitzpatrick
1998 Terry Fitzpatrick
1997 Steve Chown
1996 Ted Kaye
1995 Joan Shireman
1994 Brian Carleton
1993 Brian Carleton
1992 Tom Cave
1991 Tom Cave
1990 Midge Birnie

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What are the committees of the Board of Directors?

Standing Committees

Executive Committee
Meets on the Tuesdays, a week before Board meetings to set agenda and discuss relevant issues. Usually comprised of the Board officers, and other Board members selected by the President.

Program & Planning Committee
Reviews and helps create outcomes, goals and objectives for Friendly House's programs. Like all Board committees, it is comprised of Board memebers and other interested volunteers.

Development Committee
Reviews goals of and helps carry out the Development plan. It is comprised of Board members and other volunteers with knowledge and connections to the donor community.

Administrative Services Committee
Reviews and helps coordinate certain administrative functions of Friendly House, particularly the agency budget and personnel practices.

Finance Committee
Oversees the fiscal affairs of Friendly House and provides counsel and oversight to the budgeting, budget monitoring and auditing processes of the agency.

Personnel Committee
Reviews personnel policies, consults with the Director on HR issues, assures that staff compensation is comparable to market.

Community Relations Committee
Works to increase the number of people and organizations in Northwest Portland who are aware of and use Friendly House mission, services and programs.

Facilities Committee
Oversees Friendly House facilities and directs needed changes. Evaluates and makes recommendations for short, medium and long-term needs of the programs.

Ad Hoc Committees

Event Committee
Organizes fundraising events in conjunction with the Development Committee.

Nominating Committee
Meets to propose a slate of officers for the following Board year.

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How do Board members communicate with each other and Friendly House Staff?

Board to Board
Board members are encouraged to communicate with one another outside of meetings. A Board contact list is provided to board members, which includes phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Board members with ideas or issues may wish to contact the Board president. An agenda item may be created for a Board meeting. Board members are encouraged to bring up ideas or issues during the New Business portion of the Board meeting.

Board to Staff
The Board oversees the Executive Director. The Executive Director oversees the staff. Board members with specific program-related recommendations or comments should first contact the Executive Director. However, the Board is encouraged to communicate with staff to keep themselves updated on program successes, challenges and developments. Staff may also reach out to Board members for feedback on specific ideas or issues.

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What are Board meetings like?

Board meetings are where the Board conducts its official business and provide a way for Board members to communicate with one another and with key staff.

The Board of Directors meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at Friendly House Community Center unless otherwise noted. The September meeting is the Annual Board Meeting, when we honor outgoing Board members. December's meeting is often a holiday gathering organized by the Board President. The August meeting is often cancelled. A Board Retreat may take its place every other year.

How Board meetings are organized
The meeting agenda is created by the Executive Committee the Monday before the Board meeting. Board members with issues to raise or discuss are encouraged to contact the Board President prior to the Executive Committee meeting. After the meeting has been organized, Board members will receive a Board packet that contains an agenda, minutes from the previous meeting and other relevant information. Board members will be asked to approve the minutes at the meeting.

How Board meetings are run
The Board follows Robert's Rules of Order; decisions are made according to the following procedure:
1. The Board President will call for a motion on an issue before the Board.
2. If a motion is received, the President will ask for a second.
3. If a second is received, the President will consider discussion.
4. Once discussion has ended, or if there is none, the President calls a voice vote.
5. Board members answer "aye" or "nay" or may abstain from voting. A majority carries a motion.
6. According to the Friendly House, Inc. Restated Bylaws [amended May 21, 1996], a quorum for Board meetings "shall consist of one-third of all of the voting directors then in office."

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