The Board of Directors is the governing body of Community Carrot, responsible for fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, and ensuring the organization operates in a manner consistent with its mission and values. Board members are expected to be experienced professionals, committed to entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment and overcoming historical marginalization.

I. Governance and Leadership

• Fiduciary Oversight: Ensure sound financial management , including approving the annual budget and faithfully reading and understanding the organization’s financial statements.

• Strategic Direction & Planning: Engage in strategic and organizational planning and approve and monitor Community Carrot’s program and services.

• Executive Leadership: Responsible for selecting and evaluating the performance of the Executive Director.

• Compliance: Abide by and sign the bylaws and adhere to all policies and resolutions of the organization. Ensure legal and ethical integrity.

II. Financial Development and Resource Mobilization

• Annual Giving Requirement: Donate annually in accordance with one’s ability to give. Donations can be either “give or get”—donated or raised through fundraising. 100% leadership giving is essential.

• Resource Development: Serve as active advocates and ambassadors for Community Carrot and fully engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary to advance its mission.

• Network Leveraging: Leverage connections, networks, and resources to develop collective action , and help identify personal connections that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputation.

• Ambassadorship: Enhance Community Carrot’s public image and support the organization publicly.

III. Participation and Engagement

• Time Commitment: Provide, on average, 4 hours per month working in support of Community Carrot, which includes preparation for meetings and committee work.

• Attendance: Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in monthly Board meetings and provide prompt, professional responses to communication.

• Committee Service: Participate fully on one or more committees.

• Term of Service: Serve a three-year term of office, with a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms plus one partial term.

• Conduct and Ethics:

  • Display professionalism, punctuality, a disposition to collaboration, and agree to work towards a shared goal.

  • Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of Community Carrot.

  • Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year, if necessary.

  • Disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings.

  • Raise concerns to the Board Chair and/or Executive Director in a timely manner.

• Self-Assessment: Assess the Board’s own performance as the governing body.