What Do Trustees Do?

Now that we know what the Board does as a whole, here are some thoughts about what Board Trustees do--again from the Schechter Association and NAIS.

The following principles of good practice are set forth to provide a common perspective on the individual responsibilities of members of the Board of Trustees.

1. A trustee helps define and actively supports and promotes the school’s mission both in the school and in the broader community.
2. A trustee holds the institution in trust and preserves its institutional integrity as a Jewish Day School. A trustee acts with the realization that the school is held in trust for future generations of Jews.
3. A trustee is knowledgeable about the school’s mission and goals as well as current operations and issues.
4. A trustee attends meetings regularly, is well prepared and participates fully in all matters.
5. A trustee acts so as to preserve the schools institutional integrity as a Jewish Day School affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
6. An individual trustee does not become involved in specific management, personnel or curricular issues.
7. Once a vote is taken, a trustee accepts and publicly supports board decisions and always respects board confidentiality.
8. A trustee guards against conflict of interest, whether business related to personal.
9. A trustee takes care to separate the interests of the school from the specific needs of a particular child or constituency.
10. A trustee will actively participate in committees of the board.
11. A trustee has the responsibility to support the school and its Head and to demonstrate that support within the community.
12. Trustees are expected to show their support for the school by attending major school functions.
13. A trustee who learns of an issue has the obligation to bring it to the Head of School, or to the board President, and must not deal with the situation individually.
14. A trustee contributes to the development program of the school, including financial support and active involvement in major fundraising activities.
15. Each trustee, as well as the treasurer and the finance committee, has the fiduciary responsibility to the school for sound financial management.
16. A trustee works to strengthen the school’s relationship to the local Jewish community, through active participation in synagogue, Federation or other Jewish communal organizations.