Binah • January 14, 201356

I am sometimes asked, “So whatdoes board membership mean?” SinceI am a member of several boards ofnonprofit organizations, this is alogical question to pose.

Board members of corporationsand businesses are paid to direct abusiness. Board members of a charityor nonprofit service organization(such as a chessed group oreducational institution) volunteertheir time, energy, and connectionsfor a cause.

Board members may be connectedto the organization through theirfamily members, they may bealumnae, or their children may attendthe school.

They may have an affinity orspecial interest in the cause, i.e., theirnephew is a person withdevelopmental disabilities and theymay want to advocate for thispopulation. Others see a need andstep up to the plate and found aservice organization to fill the gap.

Some are recruited by their friends,community leaders, or the founders.Others get involved through events,fund-raising drives, and initiatives,gradually expanding theircommitment and skills and movingtheir way up the ranks oforganizational leadership.

I was asked to join the board ofWomen’s League CommunityResidences by the legendary ShaindelWarman shortly after my mother’spassing. My mother, Rebbetzin

Selfi n t u i t i o n

Binah YeseirahTreading the boards

Yehudis Perlow, a”h, had served aspresident since the organization’sinception and my father, lbcl”c, theNovominsker Rebbe, shlita, is a veryactive member of the rabbinicadvisory board to whom she’eilos areregularly addressed.

The reason for my family’sinvolvement was very simple; we hada profoundly developmentallydisabled brother who was exquisitelycared for by the dedicated foundersand staff for many years.

Hakaras hatov was anunderstatement for my feelings. I hadalways admired the way Mr. and Mrs.Warman ran the residences and at-home services, and felt that as aprofessional involved in nonprofitorganizations myself, I could learnfrom the organization’s professionalyet caring management style.

I found myself in the selectcompany of highly devotedindividuals who supported theorganization’s wonderful work withcareful, committed decision-making.Many had been serving since earlytimes, when advocacy withgovernment, families, and the publicfor challenged individuals was adaunting, thankless job.

In the years that led to theestablishment of Rachel’s PlaceTransitional Independent LivingProgram, I was one of several womenwho didn’t give up on a dream. Wehad encountered girls who could notand should not live at home, who wereliving on park benches, couch surfing,or worse. Although some found theirway to the apartment of a wonderful

individual, there were just too manyfor one person to tend to.

Through years of legal work,advocacy, pleading with agencies, andarduous fund-raising, we slowly built

an organization and a shelter at thesame time. The mission of providinggirls ages 16 to 21 with a healthy placeto live and learn life skills kept usgoing through obstacles, bureaucraticinefficiency, and lack of funds.Friendships formed, legalities werelearned, youth development programswere studied, and a board andsponsoring organization were formed.

Forming, storming, and normingare the stages in group formationidentified by the academic literature.In our case, the passion foraccomplishing for the girls and thenachas we saw when we providedtherapeutic support, rules,educational guidance, and a skilledstaff allowed us to bypass the second

stage. There were no fights or grabs forpower.

We reached a level of normalfunctioning after years of crisisfunding, operational challenges, andgovernment scrutiny. Our boardmembers, led by the unstoppabledirectors, learned to take onresponsibilities for real property,weddings, fund-raising, maintenance,contracts, and advocacy. Our originalgovernance structure was modified toreflect the progress of theorganization and its evolution. It wasalways and is always about what isbest for our girls. The mission is themotivator.

Every once in a while Hashemsends me a reminder of why I do whatI do.

It was a casual conversationbetween several women of differentages in a semi-public setting. We wereall waiting for something and a chatabout work attire developed becauseeveryone was bored. A young womanjoined in, saying something about herprofession and that she has no needto dress in business attire for her job.At some point, I told her that shelooked familiar. She said she wasthere accompanying her husband. Ashort while later I left, and then itstruck me on the way home.

She had eaten some Yom Tov meals

Binah • 3 Shevat 5773 57

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz

Whatever your skill,whether technical,artistic,administrative, orsocial, your uniqueabilities can be usedin a place thatrequires assistance.

Binah • January 14, 201358

in my house a few years ago! Morethan that, she was a former residentof Rachel’s Place! She had obviouslycome a long way, appearing as she didnow; a refined and tzniusdig marriedwoman with a professional position.Now that’s nachas!

The purpose of this topic is moresignificant than trotting out thevolunteer section of my resumé. Iwant to encourage women of all agesto participate in organizations in aformal sense. Many of us do chessed ofall kinds. For some, it is organizingfund-raising luncheons. For others, itis a regular schedule of bikur cholimvisits. Some women will offer freespeech therapy to needy individuals,while others do the bookkeeping for agemach. Whatever your skill, whethertechnical, artistic, administrative, orsocial, your unique abilities can beused in a place that requiresassistance. Not everyone can givemoney; however, most of us can giveenergy and talent to a good cause.

Many people do not recognize thatformal roles are important in thegovernance of an organization. Anorganization requires stewardship toensure that its goals and mission arebeing met. Charities and 501(c3)’s(legally tax-exempt incorporatedorganizations recognized by the IRS)require a formal structure.

From a legal perspective, boardmembers carry a fiduciaryresponsibility; they are entrusted withresponsibility for the funds andproperty of the organization as well as

to carry out its mission. This meansattending regular meetings, makingresponsible informed decisions, andmonitoring compliance with policiesand goals. It is not about kavod andhaving your name on the stationery. Itis about taking responsibility.

Board meetings are usually run

formally and minutes are taken. Anagenda prepared in advance isfollowed; items are presented forreview and are voted on when actionis needed following a motion. Aquorum (as defined in the by-laws)ensures that due process has beenfollowed and that a minority ofmembers does not make decisions forthe organization.

Some concerns of boards arebudgets, welfare of constituents,planning, personnel, and fiscalsoundness. Government andcommunity relations and fund-raisingare some activities board membersdevote their energies to.

Boards elect officers: presidents,chairs, treasurers, members ofexecutive, finance, and othercommittees. They may decide toamend the by-laws of the organizationto expand or limit its scope or tochange terms of board members ornominating committees.

Advisory board members are not thesame as members of a board. Theformer lend their credentials, name,

and experience to the organization;they are not regularly involved. Theyare available on a consultative basisand usually offer the group credibilityin the public eye and moral support inprivate.

Advisory boards can be easilyadjusted. One that I served on for over10 years was eventually eliminated bythe larger organization, which nolonger felt the need for communityinput and direction. Boards of directorscannot be dissolved as readily.

Nonprofit board membership is notabout power. It is about working for theklal through a particular group whosemission, service, or goal you have anaffinity to. It is work and it is usuallyunrecognized. It means makingdifficult decisions and asking people tohelp. It means learning and monitoringthe budget.

The best boards are composed ofserious people who are informed andwilling to be informed for the good ofthe organization. Ideally, says oneboard member with whom I haveserved for many years, board membersshould be people of affluence andinfluence.

I respectfully disagree with him. Ibelieve that responsible, caringindividuals who are ready to put in timeand talent over the long haul can beeffective board members. If you areasked to be a board member, do yourhomework. Take it seriously and don’tcommit unless you can give heart andprofessionalism to the job. It’s a lotmore than attending meetings andhaving your name on the stationery. Butit is rewarding and it is real chessed shelemes.

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Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, MS, is acareer counselor, writer, and nonprofitmanagement consultant. She can bereached at faigiehorowitzss@aol.com or at(516) 754-9440.

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It is not about kavodand having yourname on thestationery. It isabout takingresponsibility.