Advisory Boards and Boards of Directors. ARCH Factsheet Number 24.

This fact sheet reviews the role of advisory boards and boards of directors in the context of crisis nursery and respite care programs for families with special needs members. Typical responsibilities of advisory boards are listed, including program creation and planning, development of program policy, planning and implementing public relations, providing funding leadership, and developing subcommittees. Special concerns of crisis nursery and respite programs which are integrated into larger organizations are noted. Specific legal requirements of boards of directors (e.g., developing policy and providing direction to the executive director) are mentioned and typical responsibilities are listed, including providing vision and planning, supervising the executive director, providing funding leadership, providing financial oversight, engaging in self-assessment activities, and planning and implementing public relations. Guidelines for recruiting both advisory boards and boards of directors are offered. Other aspects addressed include the training and retention of board members and energizing existing boards. Several organizational and print resources are suggested. (DB)