Region A Partnership for Children

Board of Directors

The Region A Partnership for Children has a regional board of directors that is comprised of county-based positions such as parents, child care providers, a Department of Social Services director, a health director, a school superintendent, a librarian, a community college president, and business leaders. These positions are rotated among the seven counties and the Boundary.

Board meeting schedule

This board is founded on the belief that all of us are joined in mutual responsibility and interdependence as we work to serve the children and families of Region A. This service takes enthusiasm; energy, good judgment; planning, creative ideas, focused work, and a sense of humor to develop and keep regenerating a well-orchestrated and productive board. We also hope it will be one of our life’s most rewarding and satisfying opportunities.

The role of the Board:

1. Determine and review regularly the Partnership's mission and goals.
2. Select effective board, leadership.
3. Ensure effective organizational planning.
4. Assist in staffing county teams and board committees.
5. Direct the work of the Executive Director.
6. Enhance the Partnership.
7. Bring additional public and private funds into the Partnership.
8. Assess the board's own performance on a yearly basis.

What Makes a Good Board Member?

A board needs a combination of talents to be most effective in its policy making and stewardship roles. Quality leadership is crucial. Organizations are served better when several points of view are represented on the board. The Partnership depends on those who form it and stay on the job to serve on its board. Success depends on our understanding, commitment, clout, willingness, and ability to contribute to the work, wisdom, and wealth of ideas needed.

A board member must believe in the mission of the Partnership; Board members must also have the capacity to represent both the county from which they were chosen and the region as a whole. There are other qualities which are desirable:

Professional management skills;
Personal ethics;
Capacity for self-analysis;
The capacity to work well with others as a team;
The capacity to enjoy group action;
A sense of responsibility to others beyond yourself and your family;
Integrity;
Independence;
Professional knowledge and experience that can bear on problems and deliberations;
An inquiring mind;
Willingness to say what you think and how you feel;
Ability to challenge and stimulate agency management;
An orientation to the future;
Willingness to commit time and energy;
Ability to think seriously about problems and procedures.

What Do Board Members Get Out of Their Service?

Board membership provides opportunities to extend your knowledge and social outlook, to work with other people of like ideals and to feel the satisfactions of growth and accomplishment. The person who decides to work on behalf of the region is saying 'I have gifts and talents which are needed by my community'. People serve on boards to serve society in a special way, to seek meaningful satisfaction outside of one's job or home life, to solve community problems, to effect change and improve community life, to shape the future according to your passion.