The Board of Directors of Raven’s Moon Resource Society is accountable for all legal and financial activities. Directors make policy decisions and guide management activities, but delegate the day-to-day operations to the Executive Directors.
Officer positions consist of President, Vice President, and Secretary / Treasurer. There are seats for up to eleven Directors, including one seat reserved for a former Raven’s Moon resident who has successfully transitioned into mainstream housing. We value this perspective. Board positions span two-year terms, with possibility of re-election, based primarily on effectiveness demonstrated in filling the role.
The Board meets on the last Monday of every month. The Annual General Meeting is usually held in November. Three Directors comprise a quorum for all meetings. A Board meeting without a quorum can be held, but no official decisions can be made by voting at that meeting.
The Board has no standing sub-committees, but does, from time-to-time, strike ad-hoc committees, which generally meet regarding a specific issue over a finite period of time. Membership of ad-hoc committees is defined by the Board of Directors at the time the committee is established.
A Director’s business and personal interests must not be in conflict, or appear to be in conflict, with their duties. A conflict of interest occurs when a Director, or someone related to the Director, receives a benefit beyond the usual compensation for the position.
The Board makes decisions by simple majority vote. Once a decision is taken, all Board members agree to support that decision, thereby representing a unified organizational voice.
If differences arise between Directors or Directors and staff, both parties are expected to take personal responsibility to resolve the conflict between themselves according to the organization’s standards of conduct. If this is not possible, or is unsuccessful, either party may ask for an intervener / facilitator to assist in resolving the conflict. This person may be a skilled Director, or the Board may elect to hire an outside facilitator. The decision to hire an outside facilitator must be made by the Board at a regular Board meeting.
Directors are expected to engage in communication based on honesty, respect, and feedback, and to take personal responsibility for their contribution to the Board and the organization.
Directors are expected to bring to the table skills and connections that deepen the organization’s impacts. This could take the form of community and/or funding connections, and/or skills that might include but are not limited to fundraising, promotion, financial oversight, charity compliance, real estate, medical or clinical expertise, and social work.
Between Board meetings, Directors are expected to apply their time and talents to advancing the work of the organization, and to promote donation opportunities within their social and professional circles.
Directors are expected to serve a minimum two-year term, and to attend Board meetings regularly. An absence of more than one Board meeting in a year could be grounds for removal from the Board via majority Board vote, unless prior notice is given and/or extenuating circumstances exist. Directors are reminded that they are responsible for official Board decisions, regardless of whether they attend the Board meetings.
Potential Directors will be approached by either an Executive Director or a current Director to gauge suitability and interest in joining the Board. Prospective Directors will be encouraged to attend a Board meeting as a guest, and to tour one or more of the houses as arranged with an Executive Director.
If, after the tour and Board meeting visit, the individual expresses interest in serving as a Director, their resume or other statement of qualifications will be circulated by email to the Directors, with an email vote from all current Directors being an acceptable form of affirmation.If the new member is voted in by the majority, they are expected to attend the next Board meeting in the capacity of Director.
Board member orientation is delivered informally, and consists of a debriefing meeting prior to the first official Board meeting of the new Director. This meeting could be with a fellow Director, or an Executive Director, or a blend.
Media contacts are handled by the Executive Directors or designated Director only. The Board will designate a media contact at the first regular Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. If a Board member is contacted by the media and the subject has not already been discussed and a decision taken by the Board, they must advise the media representative that they will call them back, and contact one of the Executive Directors to obtain relevant information.
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