Board Policy Manual

Butler County

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board


Six South Second Street, Suite 420
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
  (513) 867-0777

 Board Policy Manual

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Ends

            Ends Polices (A-1)

 

Executive Limitations

            Global Executive Constraint (B-1)

            Provider Contracting (B-2)

            Treatment of Staff (B-3)

            Financial Planning and Budgeting (B-4)

            Financial Condition and Activities (B-5)

            Asset Protection (B-6)

            Compensation and Benefits (B-7)

Emergency Executive Director Succession (B-8)

Communication and Support to the Board (B-9)

 

Board-Executive Director Linkage

            Global Board-Executive Director Linkage (C-1)

            Unity of Control (C-2)

            Accountability of the Executive Director (C-3)

            Delegation to the Executive Director (C-4)

Monitoring Executive Director Performance (C-5)

Recruitment, Selection, and Removal of the Executive Director (C-6)

Executive Director Compensation and Benefits (C-7)

 

Governance Process

            Global Governance Commitment (D-1)

            Conflicts with Previous Policies (D-2)

            Governance Style (D-3)

            Board Job Description (D-4)

            Agenda Planning (D-5)

            Board Officers (D-6)

            Board Members’ Code of Conduct (D-7)

            Board Committee Principles (D-8)

            Cost of Governance (D-9)

 


POLICY TYPE:                              ENDS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            ENDS POLICIES (A-1)

 

 

The Butler County ADAS Board, in partnership with the community, will minimize the adverse effects of alcohol and other drug use so that people can live healthier, safer and more productive lives.

 

1.                 The first priority is that those who are dependent on alcohol and/or other drugs will effectively manage their dependencies and live lives minimally impeded by them.

 

2.                 The second priority is that non-dependent persons will be aware of the possible dangers associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs and will make low-risk choices about their use.

 

3.                 The third priority is that the people of Butler County will be knowledgeable about alcohol and other drug-related problems sufficient to moderate stereotypes and minimize stigmatization.

 

4.                 The fourth priority is that family members and friends of those who are dependent on alcohol and/or other drugs will have the information they need to be as helpful and supportive as they choose to be.

 


POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            GLOBAL EXECUTIVE CONSTRAINT (B-1)

 

 

The executive director shall not cause or allow any practice, activity, decision, or organizational circumstance that is either unlawful, imprudent, or in violation of commonly accepted business and professional ethics.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            PROVIDER CONTRACTING (B-2)

 

 

The executive director shall not enter into any provider contract that is inconsistent with Ends policies or involves unacceptable means.

 

Accordingly, the executive director shall not:

 

1.                 Enter into or maintain any contracts with providers that do not demonstrate a commitment to best practices and outcome evaluation. 

2.                 Enter into or maintain any contracts with providers that do not provide services in an environment that is safe, dignified, pleasant, and supportive.

3.                 Terminate or substantially change any provider contracts without the authorization of the board.

4.                 Enter into any contracts with new providers without the authorization of the board with the exception of individual case arrangements.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                                                                                                                            TREATMENT OF STAFF (B-3)

 

 

With respect to the treatment of staff, the executive director shall not cause or allow conditions that are unfair, undignified, discriminatory as defined by federal and state law, or otherwise illegal.

 

Accordingly, he or she shall not:

 

1.                 Operate without written personnel policies that:

a.     clarify personnel rules for staff,

b.     protect against unfair treatment of staff, or

c.     provide for effective handling of grievances.

2.                 Prevent staff from grieving to the board when internal grievance procedures have been exhausted.

3.                 Fail to acquaint staff with their rights under this policy.


 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUDGETING (B-4)

 

 

Financial planning for any fiscal year or the remaining part of any fiscal year shall not deviate materially from the board’s Ends priorities, risk fiscal jeopardy, or fail to be derived from the board’s biannual Community Plan.

 

Accordingly, the executive director shall not allow budgeting that:

 

1.                 Contains inadequate information about:

a.     credible projection of revenues and expenses,

b.     separation of capital and operational items, and

c.     planning assumptions.

2.                 Expends more funds in any fiscal year than are conservatively projected to be available.

3.                 Provides less for board prerogatives during the year than is determined by the board in accordance with the Cost of Governance policy.

4.                 Permits board administrative expenses that exceed 12% of anticipated revenue.


 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                                                                                                                            FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ACTIVITIES (B-5)

 

 

The executive director shall not allow fiscal jeopardy or a substantial deviation from board priorities established in Ends policies.

 

Accordingly, the executive director shall not:

 

1.                 Fail to maintain positive cash flow.

2.                 Fail to maintain an operations reserve for positive cash flow and financial contingencies.

3.                 Expend funds for provider contracts in such a manner as to deviate substantially from board priorities established in Ends policies.

4.                 Expend funds in excess of the total amount allocated by the board for the board administrative budget.

5.                 Expend funds in excess of the amount budgeted for staff salaries.

6.                 Make a single purchase or financial commitment:

a.     wherein normally prudent protection has not been given against conflict of interest;

b.     of over $10,000 without having obtained comparative prices and quality unless approval of the board is obtained;

c.     of over $25,000 without the approval of the board;

d.    that is not in accordance with requirements for competitive bidding where applicable as established by the state of Ohio.

(This prohibition does not apply to employed personnel, provider payments for services, the MACSIS client information/claims management system, and consultants funded with private foundation or federal grants.)

7.                 Receive, process, or disburse funds under controls that are insufficient to meet the Auditor of State’s standards.

8.                 Allow government filings to be overdue or inaccurately filed.

9.                 Fail to provide the board with a monthly financial report that includes at a minimum, expenditures and revenues year to date and statement of cash position.

10.            Acquire, lease, or dispose of land, and/or facilities without prior board approval.

11.             Without the authorization of the board, formally request from the County Commissioners the placement of a property levy or other revenue generating tax issue on the ballot.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            ASSET PROTECTION (B-6)

 

 

The executive director shall not allow the assets to be unprotected, inadequately maintained, or unnecessarily risked.

 

Accordingly, he or she shall not:

 

1.         Fail to follow a proactive approach to asset maintenance and planning.

2.                 Develop property rental fees without regard to:

a.     board financial goals, and

b.     support of provider services.

3.                 Fail to acquire and maintain a facility reserve fund adequate to cover liability and maintenance/repair needs.

4.                 Fail to maintain a prudent level of insurance coverage to protect the board’s assets.

5.                 Unnecessarily expose the organization, its board, or staff to liability claims.

6.                 Fail to protect information and files from loss or significant damage.

7.                 Endanger the organization’s credibility and public image.

 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (B-7)

 

 

The executive director shall not cause or allow jeopardy to fiscal integrity or public image with respect to employment, compensation, and benefits.

 

Accordingly, he or she shall not:

 

1.                 Change his or her own compensation and benefits.

2.                 Promise or imply permanent or guaranteed employment.

3.                 Establish non-competitive compensation and benefit levels for staff.

4.                 In developing a budget allocation for staff salaries, fail to consider the following:

a.     the financial condition of the board,

b.     overall board operation efficiency and effectiveness, and

c.     staff needs of the board.


 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUCCESSION (B-8)

 

 

The executive director shall not fail to have at least one staff person familiar with board and executive director issues and processes.

 


 

POLICY TYPE:                              EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            COMMUNICATION AND SUPPORT TO THE

                                                            BOARD (B-9)

 

 

The executive director shall not permit the board to be uninformed or unsupported in its work.

 

Accordingly, he or she shall not:

 

1.                 Neglect to submit monitoring, decision preparation, and other information required by the board (see policy on Monitoring Executive Director Performance) in a timely, accurate, and understandable format.

2.                 Fail to advise the board if the board is not in compliance with its own policies on Governance Process and Board-Executive Director Linkage.

3.                 Fail to marshal for the board as many points of view and options as are needed for fully informed board decisions.

4.                 Fail to provide a mechanism for official board, officer, committee or ownership/stakeholder communications.

5.                 Fail to report in a timely manner an actual or anticipated non-compliance with any policy of the board.

6.                 Fail to support the identified training needs of the board.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            GLOBAL BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE (C-1)

 

 

The board’s sole official connection to the operational organization, its achievements, and conduct will be through an executive director.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            UNITY OF CONTROL (C-2)

 

 

Only decisions of the board acting as a body are binding on the executive director.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 Decisions or instructions of individual board members, officers, or committees are not binding on the executive director except in rare instances when the board has specifically authorized such exercise of authority.

2.                 The executive director can refuse requests for information or assistance that are disruptive or require significant staff resources.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (C-3)

 

 

The executive director is the board’s only link to operational achievement and conduct; therefore all authority and accountability of staff are considered the authority and accountability of the executive director.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The board shall never give instructions to person(s) who report directly or indirectly to the executive director.

2.                 The board shall refrain from evaluating, either formally or informally, any staff other than the executive director.

3.                 The board shall view the executive director’s performance as identical to organizational performance.  Organizational accomplishment of board-stated Ends and compliance with Executive Limitations policies will be viewed as successful performance.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            DELEGATION TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (C-4)

 

 

The board shall instruct the executive director through written policies that prescribe the organizational Ends to be achieved and Executive Limitations policies to be followed, allowing the executive director to use any reasonable interpretation of these policies.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The board will develop policies instructing the executive director to achieve certain results, for certain recipients, at a specified cost.  These policies will be developed systematically from the broadest, most general level to more defined levels, and will be called Ends policies.

2.                 The board will develop policies that limit the latitude the executive director may exercise in choosing the organizational means.  These policies will be developed systematically from the broadest, most general level to more defined levels, and they will be called Executive Limitations policies.

3.                 The executive director may use any reasonable interpretation of the board’s Ends and Executive Limitations policies to make all additional decisions.  The board will respect and support the executive director’s choices.

4.                 The board may change its Ends and Executive Limitations policies, thereby shifting the boundary between board and executive director domains.

5.                 To facilitate compliance with state regulations, the Board explicitly delegates the following responsibilities to the Executive Director

1.     Approval of payment of vouchers and submission of these to the county auditor for payment

2.     Exercise of control over out-of county travel by staff.

3.     Hiring and termination of classified and unclassified staff and consultants.  For unclassified staff and consultants, prior or subsequent board approval will be obtained via the consent agenda.


 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            MONITORING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE (C-5)

 

 

Systematic and rigorous monitoring of executive director job performance will be based on organizational accomplishment of board policies on Ends and operation within Executive Limitations.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 Monitoring is simply to determine the degree to which board policies are being met.

2.                 The board will acquire monitoring data by one or more of three methods: 

a.     by internal report, in which the executive director discloses compliance information to the board,

b.     by external report, in which an external, disinterested third party selected by the board assesses compliance with board policies, and

c.     by direct board inspection, in which a designated member or members of the board assess compliance with the appropriate policy criteria.

3.                 In every case, the standard for compliance shall be any reasonable executive director interpretation of the board policy being monitored.

4.                 All policies that instruct the executive director will be routinely monitored at a frequency and by a method chosen by the board.

 

Policy                                                                       Method                    Frequency

Ends                                                                          Internal                   Annually

Provider Contracting                                        Internal                   Annually

Treatment of Staff                                              Internal                   Annually

Financial Planning and Budgeting             Internal                   Annually

Financial Condition and Activities             Internal                   Quarterly

                                                                                                External                  Annually

Asset Protection                                                  Internal                   Annually

Compensation and Benefits                           Internal                   Annually

Emergency Executive Dir Succession         Internal                   Annually

Communication and Support            Direct Inspection            Annually

 

5.                 The executive director shall have a formal evaluation on an annual basis.  Such evaluation will be an examination of previous regular monitoring data and shall be taken into account for determination of future compensation.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, AND REMOVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (C-6)

 

 

The Butler County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board acting as a body is responsible for the recruitment, selection, and removal of the executive director.

 

Accordingly,

 

  1.       In the event of a vacancy in the position of executive director, the Board will

            arrange for the duties of the executive director position to be fulfilled:

    1. The associate executive director shall assume the responsibilities of the position until the board appoints an interim or permanent executive director.
    2. The chairperson shall appoint a search committee to coordinate the recruitment of qualified candidates and to recommend one or more candidates to the full board for consideration.
    3. The full board shall make the final selection.
    4. The board chair or delegate shall communicate the offer of employment to the selected candidate.
  1.       In accordance with ORC 340.032, the Board, by majority vote of the full

            membership, may remove the executive director for cause, upon written charges,             after an opportunity has been afforded for a hearing before the Board on request               of the executive director. 

 


POLICY TYPE:                              BOARD-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LINKAGE

 

POLICY TITLE:                            EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS (C-7)

 

 

The Butler County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board is committed to providing the executive director a competitive package of compensation and benefits.

 

Accordingly,

 

  1.       The initial compensation of the executive director shall be set by the Board at a

            level competitive in the Dayton-Cincinnati market.

2.              The compensation of the executive director shall be reviewed annually in                               conjunction with the formal annual performance evaluation of the executive                       director.  Compensation adjustments shall keep the executive director’s compensation competitive and reward achievement of Ends while complying with                 executive limitations.

3.        The executive director shall be eligible for the same benefits available to other             ADAS Board employees unless superseded by provisions of this policy.

4.        The initial vacation benefit of the executive director shall be four weeks.  This       shall increase to five weeks after eight years of employment.

5.        The executive director’s salary is adjusted to cover the costs of a personal cell phone which the executive director is expected to acquire, maintain and use for ADAS business purposes.

6.        Whenever any income is generated by the Executive Director’s provision of policy governance training and/or consultation, this income is to be provided to the ADAS Board.

 


POLICY TYPE:                                                                                                                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            GLOBAL GOVERNANCE COMMITMENT (D-1)

 

 

The purpose of the board, on behalf of the people of Butler County, is to assure that the Butler County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board (1) achieves appropriate results for appropriate persons at an appropriate cost and (2) avoids unacceptable actions and situations.

 


POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            CONFLICTS WITH PREVIOUS POLICIES (D-2)

 

 

In the event that any new board policies may conflict with policies adopted prior to the new governance process, these new policies will supersede any previously adopted policies.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            GOVERNANCE STYLE (D-3)

 

 

The board shall govern with an emphasis on (1) outward vision, (2) encouragement of diversity, (3) strategic leadership, (4) clear distinction of board and executive director roles, and (5) collective decisions.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The board shall act as a whole or not at all.  The board shall:

a.     cultivate a sense of group responsibility,

b.     be the initiator of policy,

c.     use the expertise of individual members to enhance the ability of the board as a body, and

d.    allow no officer, individual, or committee of the board to hinder or be an excuse for not fulfilling board commitments.

2.                 The board shall establish broad written policies reflecting the board’s values and perspectives about Ends to be achieved and Means to be avoided.  The board’s work shall focus on long-term effects on the community.

3.                 The board shall enforce upon itself responsibility for active preparation and participation, fidelity to principles, and perpetuation of Policy Governance and board-executive boundaries.

4.                 The board shall monitor and discuss the board’s process and performance regularly.  Periodically, the chair will assure the board agenda includes reflection upon the board’s performance in these areas:

a.     connection with ownership,

b.     policy, and

c.     monitoring.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            BOARD JOB DESCRIPTION (D-4)

 

 

The job of the board is to represent the people of Butler County in determining and demanding appropriate organizational performance.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The board is the link between the organization and the ownership.  The board shall develop plans for linking with ownership (learning about the perceptions and expectations of ownership groups and other community organizations, especially those with the same ownership as the ADAS board)

2.                 The board will produce written governing policies that, at the broadest levels, address each category of organizational decision.

a.     Ends:  Organizational products, effects, benefits, outcomes, recipients, and their relative worth (what good for which recipients at what cost).

                                                             i.      Clarify board information needs for informed decision-making regarding Ends policy development and develop plans for securing this information (needs assessment, information about expected impacts of various possible investments)

                                                          ii.      Articulate Ends policy language and policy options

                                                       iii.      Identify and study options for investment decision-making

b.     Executive Limitations:  Constraints on executive authority that establish the prudence and ethics boundaries within which all executive activity and decisions must take place.

c.     Governance Process:  Specification of how the board conceives, carries out, and monitors its own task.

d.    Board-Executive Director Linkage:  How power is delegated and its proper use monitored; the executive director role, authority, and accountability.

3.                 The board shall produce assurance of organizational performance:

a.     oversee system performance evaluation process,

b.     review external auditing process and findings,

c.     recommend new, or changes to, existing staff limitation policies,

d.    identify issues/concerns/opportunities for system performance improvement, and

e.     review board member information needs relative to monitoring staff limitation policies.

4.                 The board may, at its discretion, take and publicize an official position on issues of public policy that are seen by the board as directly impacting the Ends of the organization.

5.                 The board assumes primary responsibility for the recruitment of its members.  All current board members are expected to be active in the recruitment of new board members.

6.                 Regular attendance at board meetings is expected so that the board can be successful in carrying out its responsibilities.  The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 340.02 states the following:  “Upon the absence of a member within one year from either four board meetings or from two board meetings without prior notice, the board shall notify the appointing authority, which may vacate the appointment and appoint another person to complete the member’s term.”


 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            AGENDA PLANNING (D-5)

 

 

To accomplish its job with a governance style consistent with board policies, the board will follow an annual agenda that (1) completes re-exploration of Ends policies and (2) continually improves board performance through education and enriched input and deliberation.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The Board’s annual planning cycle will start with the board’s development of its agenda for the next fiscal year.

a.     Consultations with selected groups in the ownership or other methods of gaining ownership input will be determined and arranged in the first quarter of the fiscal year, to be held during the balance of the year.

b.     Governance education and education related to Ends determination (for example, presentations by futurists, demographers, advocacy groups, and staff) will be arranged in the first quarter, to be held during the balance of the year.

2.                 The Ends policy cycle will conclude each year on the last day of February, so that administrative planning and budgeting can be based on a one-year segment of the board’s most recent statement of long-term Ends.

3.                 Throughout the year, the board will attend to required approvals agenda items as expeditiously as possible.

4.                 Executive director monitoring will be included on the agenda if monitoring reports show policy violations or if policy criteria are to be debated.

5.                 Executive director remuneration will be decided annually after a review of monitoring reports received for the previous 12 months.


 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            BOARD OFFICERS (D-6)

 

 

The chair assures the integrity of the board’s process and occasionally represents the board to outside parties.  The secretary certifies the evidence of board action, including board policies and board meeting minutes.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 The chair’s job is to assure that the board behaves consistently with its own rules and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the organization.

a.     Meeting discussion content will be only those issues which, according to board policy, clearly belong to the board to decide.

b.     Deliberations will be fair, open, timely, and orderly.

2.                 The authority of the chair extends only to topics covered by board policies on Governance Process and Board-Executive Director Linkage, except where the board specifically delegates portions of this authority to others.  The chair is authorized to use any reasonable interpretation of the provisions of these policies.

a.     The chair is empowered to chair board meetings, with all the commonly accepted power of that position (for example, ruling, recognizing).

b.     The chair has no authority to make decisions about policies created by the board within Ends and Executive Limitations policy areas.  The chair has no authority to supervise or direct the executive director.

c.     The chair may represent the board to outside parties in announcing board-stated positions and in stating chair decisions and interpretations within the area delegated to her or him.

d.    The chair may delegate this authority but remains accountable for its use.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            BOARD MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT (D-7)

 

 

The board commits itself and its members to ethical, businesslike, and lawful conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as board members.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 Members must represent loyalty to the interests of the ownership.  This supersedes any loyalty to advocacy or interest groups, membership on other boards or staffs, and the personal interest of any board member acting as a consumer of the organization’s services.

2.                 Members must avoid conflicts of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility.

a.     When the board is to decide upon an issue about which a member has an unavoidable conflict of interest, that member shall absent herself or himself without comment, from not only the vote but also from the deliberation (ORC 102.03D).

b.     Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment or other benefits for themselves, family members, or close associates (ORC 102.03D).   Should a member desire employment, he or she must first resign.

c.     A board member may not be an employee or a member of the governing board, or have a family member who is an employee or is a member of the governing board of an agency with whom the ADAS Board has a contract for services or facilities, and may not have a relative who serves as a Butler County commissioner (ORC 340.02). 

d.    Board members are prohibited from having a personal interest in a contract with the board (ORC 102.03D).

e.     Board members may not accept gifts or services of value from anyone doing business with or seeking to do business with the ADAS Board or that otherwise create a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety (ORC 102.03E). 

f.       During public service and for one year after public service as an ADAS board member, board members may not represent any person, in any fashion with respect to a matter in which the board member personally participated while serving as an ADAS board member (102.03A).

g.     Violations of various provisions of the Ohio Ethics Law (ORC chapters 102 and 2921) are misdemeanors of varying degrees.  Violations of ORC 102.03 are misdemeanors of the first degree.

h.    Board members will receive a copy of the Ohio Ethics Law within fifteen days of appointment to the board and may refer questions to the Ohio Ethics Commission at (614) 466-7090 or www.ethics.state.oh.us.

i.       At the time of their original application and by September 30th of each year, each board member shall sign a statement attesting to the absence of the conflicts of interest specified in ORC 340 (2c above) and stating that he/she has received a copy of the Board Members’ Code of Conduct (Board Policy D-7), has read and understands the policy, has agreed to comply with the policy, and to disclose affiliations which may represent a potential conflict of interest.  This signed statement is to be reviewed by the board chair.  The statement of the board chair is to be reviewed by the board secretary.

3.                 Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in board policies.

a.     Members’ interaction with the executive director or with staff must recognize the lack of authority vested in individuals except when explicitly board-authorized.

b.     Members’ interactions with public, press, or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the inability of any board member to speak for the board except to repeat explicitly stated board decisions unless directed by the Board.

c.     Members will give no consequence or voice to individual judgments of executive director or staff performance.

4.                 Members will adhere to confidentiality standards to include HIPAA and executive session information.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                                                                                                                            BOARD COMMITTEE PRINCIPLES (D-8)

 

 

Board committees will be assigned to reinforce the wholeness of the board’s job and never to interfere with delegation from board to the executive director.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 Board committees are to help the board do its job.  Committees will assist the board by preparing policy alternatives and implications for board deliberation.  Board committees will normally not have dealings with current staff operations.

2.                 Board committees may not speak or act for the board except when formally given such authority for specific and time-limited purposes.  Expectations and authority will be carefully stated in order not to conflict with authority delegated to the executive director.

3.                 Board committees cannot exercise authority over staff.

4.                 Board committees are to avoid over-identification with organizational parts rather than the whole.  Therefore, generally a board committee that has helped the board create policy on some topic will not be used to monitor organizational performance on the same topic.

5.                 Ad hoc time-limited committees will be preferred to standing committees whenever feasible.

6.                 Committee appointments are the responsibility of the chair.

7.                 There are two standing board committees, the Governance Committee, and the Board Recruitment and Orientation Committee.

8.                 The duties of the Governance Committee are as follows: 

a.     review overall board governance process/functioning

b.     develop board meeting agendas

c.     plan board member education sessions and board retreats

d.    prepare for board consideration major policy issues facing the board

e.     coordinate annual evaluation of the executive director

f.       make recommendations to the full board regarding executive director compensation

g.     identify candidates for board officer positions

h.    consider staff grievances and recommend action to the full board

9.                 The duties of the Board Recruitment and Orientation Committee are as follows:

a.     coordinate recruitment of new board members

b.     coordinate orientation of new board members

c.     in addition, at the request of the chair, assist in board member development activities, as may be needed.

 

10.            The procedure to be followed by the Board Recruitment and Orientation Committee is as follows:

a.     Candidates for board membership are identified primarily by current board members;

b.     Candidates are sent information about the board and asked to return completed documents signifying their interest in pursuing board membership;

c.     The names of candidates signifying their interest in pursuing board membership and recommended by the committee are communicated to current board members who are afforded an opportunity to express any concerns about the appointment of these candidates;

d.    Candidates are prioritized by category (alcohol/drug professional, consumer, family member, advocate);

e.     When a board member vacancy occurs, committee recommends a candidate acceptable to the full board;

f.       Candidates recommended by the committee are invited to complete an application for appointment (if requesting state appointment) or letter requesting appointment (if requesting county appointment);

g.     Chair submits request for appointment to Appointing Authority;

h.    While appointment is pending or shortly after appointment, Recruitment and Orientation Committee orients prospective or new board member to policy governance and work of the board;

i.       Appointment is made and candidate is notified.

11.             This policy applies to any group that is formed by board action, whether or not it is called a committee and regardless whether the group includes board members.  It does not apply to committees formed under the authority of the executive director.

 

 

POLICY TYPE:                              GOVERNANCE PROCESS

 

POLICY TITLE:                            COST OF GOVERNANCE (D-9)

 

 

The board shall annually devote resources for board education and linkage with ownership.

 

Accordingly,

 

1.                 Board development and enhancement will occur in the following manner with costs not to exceed the annual budgeted amount of $500:

a.     A comprehensive orientation will be provided to all new members,

b.     Ongoing training will be provided to all board members, and

c.     Annually, board members shall attend at least one training session approved by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ORC 340).

2.                 Contract professional services shall be secured as needed.

3.                 Outreach mechanisms will be used as needed to ensure the board’s ability to listen to owner viewpoints and values.