Your Board, Your Team
A board of directors is a collection of individuals trying to operate as a group — and every club member is part of a team, whether at the club, district or multiple-district level. A short, interactive tour of what a board is, how it's built, and how to put it to work.
If you just do all of those things, you have a great board that's ready to go to work — but if you don't put them to work, they're null and void for your club.
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Define what a nonprofit board of directors actually is.
- Explain how a club's board is created and what it does.
- Describe the effective management and use of a board once it's in place.
- Identify the governance model that best fits your own club.
The board's responsibilities — mind map
Six responsibilities define the job. Tap any branch to reveal what it actually involves.
A real example: a newly elected officer authorized his club to pay for sponsor perks without board approval. The president, secretary, treasurer and several board members left the club over it — it fractured so badly that a brand-new community club eventually formed in its place.
Who sits on the board
Lions International names positions that should be included — clubs can add more as needed.
President
Functions as the club's CEO — the top of the reporting line.
Vice president(s)
Report directly to the president; often split community-facing and club-facing committees between them.
Secretary & treasurer
Can be combined into one secretary-treasurer role; involved across the board with the president.
Membership chair, directors & past president
Elected or appointed board members, the membership chair, and the immediate past president round out the board.
One way to structure reporting lines
A sample flowchart — not mandatory, just an idea. Tap any box to see how it works.
This is only an example. Some clubs have just one vice president or three board members total — set it up however fits your club's size and constitution and bylaws.
Choosing a governance model
Four models exist. Some boards mix them; some use none — which makes governing a lot harder. Tap a model to learn more.
A Lions club can mix models or use just one — but the board should decide deliberately at the start of the year, rather than drift along with none at all.
Job descriptions, terms & training
Write a job description for every director
The president usually writes these, knowing the people on the board. Be specific about which committees each director oversees, which vice president they work with — and always remember to thank them for their effort.
The three types of board terms
- Elected — usually 1 to 3 years, staggered so the whole board doesn't turn over at once
- Appointed — the president appoints a replacement, with board input, if someone can't finish their term
- Honorary — past officers or life members invited to serve, usually in an advisory, non-voting capacity
Train and cultivate the board
Give every new director an orientation covering the club's history, expectations, meeting schedule and job details, plus a self-evaluation to reveal their passions and skills. Have committee chairs report to the board — it cultivates future directors.
Putting the board to work
A well-built board that's never put to work is null and void for the club.
Strategic planning
Every club should keep a 1-year, 5-year and 10-year plan — revised as needed. Club retreats are a great way to set the club's future activities and bigger-picture goals together.
Be visible and be accountable
Have board members show up at fundraisers with their committees. The board is accountable to the community and to donors — and any Lion in good standing has the right to review the club's books at a reasonable time and place.
Close the loop with self-assessment: review whether the board's goals were met, and let the club weigh in on whether the board headed in the direction members actually wanted.
Board meetings vs. club meetings
- Open to all Lions club members to attend
- Only board members vote on decisions before the board
- Should be a distinct meeting — even in a small club where most members are also directors
- Where speakers present and general club business happens
- Board decisions and topics should not be mixed into a speaker's meeting
- Minutes from both meetings should reach every member, so no one is left uninformed
Check yourself
Eight quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- Does your club have a written mission statement, and was it developed with member input?
- Which governance model best describes how your board actually operates today?
- Does every director on your board have a written job description — and does someone thank them for their work?