NEW YORK, New York, January 17, 2005: The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is soliciting nominations for up to six open seats on its Board of Directors.

Current BRA Honorary Board members: Tony Pena, Kansas City Royals Manager; Ruben Silie, Secretary General of Association of Caribbean States; Rhoda S. Jacobs, Member of New York State Assembly. Current BRA Board members: Carol King, Esq., Thomas Beague, O.D., Raymond Thertulien, M.D., Ph.D., Paul Nacier, M.D., Pierre Leger, M.D., Sara Beague.

In an effort to help us consider potential candidates, we have listed below the Ten Basic Responsibilities of Non-Profit Boards*. In addition to these Responsibilities, the BRA expects its Board members to participate in one meeting per year.

This year, the BRA is particularly interested in receiving nominations for prospective board members who can be of assistance with specific emphasis on the two following responsibilities:

1.1 Ensure adequate resources: Each board member must contribute financially to the organization, and find others to donate. One of the board’s foremost responsibilities is to provide adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.

1.2 Enhance the organization’s public standing: Each board member should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

Nominations should be directed to Sara Beague, Board Development Chair or Ulrick Gaillard, BRA?s Executive Director. Nominations may be submitted via email or postal courier, and should include the CV of the nominee for full consideration.

Before you submit a nomination, we strongly encourage you to visit the BRA’s website at www.bateyrelief.org to learn more about the organization. Thank you for your participation.

Sara Beague/Ulrick Gaillard
Batey Relief Alliance
P.O. Box 300565
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230, USA
bra@bateyrelief.org
(917) 627-5026
www.bateyrelief.org

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The Board Source Ten Basic Responsibilities of Board Members (Board Source, formerly National Center for Nonprofit Boards – November, 2002.)

1. Determine the organization’s mission and purpose. It is the board’s responsibility to create and review a statement of mission and purpose that articulates the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents served.

2. Select the chief executive. Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive’s responsibilities and undertake a careful search to find the most qualified individual for the position.

3. Provide proper financial oversight. The board must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.

4. Ensure adequate resources. One of the board’s foremost responsibilities is to provide adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission

5. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability. The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms.

6. Ensure effective organizational planning. Boards must actively participate in an overall planning process and assist in implementation and monitoring the plan’s goals.

7. Recruit and orient new board members and assess board performance. All boards have a responsibility to articulate prerequisites for candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate its own performance.

8. Enhance the organization’s public standing. The board should clearly articulate the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public and garner support from the community.

9. Determine, monitor, and strengthen the organization’s programs and services. The board’s responsibility is to determine which programs are consistent with the organization’s mission and to monitor their effectiveness.

10. Support the chief executive and assess his or her performance. The board should ensure that the chief executive has the financial, moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals of the organization.