BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES/QUALIFICATIONS
November 2000

• Basic Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
• Major Duties of the Board of Directors
• Basic Job Description for Members of the Board of Directors
• Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Basic Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

• Determine the Foundation’s mission and purposes.
• Select the executive staff through an established process.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance for the Executive Director; review his/her performance.
• Ensure effective planning for the Foundation
• Ensure adequate resources.
• Manage resources effectively.
• Determine and monitor the Foundation’s programs and services.
• Enhance the Foundation’s public image.
• Serve as a court of appeal.
• Assess the performance of the Board of Directors.

Major Duties of the Board of Directors

• Provide continuity for the Foundation:

1. Set up a corporation or legal existence.
2. Represent the Foundation’s point of view through interpretation of its products and services.
3. Serve as an advocate for the Foundation.

• Select and appoint an Executive Director, in conjunction with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks:

1. Establish a policy for selection of the Executive Director.
2. Delegate administration of the Foundation to the Executive Director.
3. Evaluate the Executive Director’s performance regularly on the basis of a specific job description. Include executive relations with the board, leadership in the organization, in program planning and implementation, and in management of the Foundation (and its personnel.)
4. Offer administrative guidance and determine whether to retain or dismiss the executive.

• Govern the Foundation by broad policies and objectives:

1. Formulate policies and goals in conjunction with the Executive Director, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and (Foundation employees.)
2. Assign priorities for meeting objectives.
3. Ensure the Foundation’s capacity to carry out programs by continually reviewing its work.

• Acquire sufficient resources for the Foundation’s operations and to finance the products and services adequately.

• Account to the public for the products and services of the Foundation and expenditure of its funds:

1. Provide fiscal accountability
2. Approve the budget.
3. Formulate policies related to contracts from public or private resources.
4. Accept responsibility for all conditions and policies attached to new, innovative, or experimental programs.

Basic Job Description for Members of the Board of Directors

• Regularly attended Board meeting, conference calls and important related functions.
• Makes a serious commitment to participate actively in committee work.
• Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time.
• Stays informed about committee matters, prepares well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports.
• Gets to know other Board members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
• Is an active participant in the Board’s evaluation and planning efforts.
• Participates in fund raising for the Foundation.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• An understanding, appreciation and interest in outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat and conservation of natural resources.
• Specific skills of interest to the Foundation including but not limited to:

Promotion/Marketing, Legal, Planning, Public Relations, Fundraising, Accounting/Financial, Human Relations, Wildlife and/or Park Management, Real Estate Transactions, Business Management and Agriculture.

• A willingness to participate in full board meeting, committee meetings, events, negotiations, fundraising, financial planning and other participatory activities of the Foundation.
• The ability to communicate effectively.
• An interest and ability to provide personal contributions to the Foundation.
• A wide range of personal contacts from which to solicit support.
• Proven leadership ability.