GP-4 Board Job Contributions

As an informed agent of the Ownership (the residents of Frederick County), the Frederick Community College Board of Trustee’s specific responsibilities are those that ensure appropriate organizational performance.

Accordingly, the Board has direct responsibility to:

1. Create the link between the Owners and the College.
   
   
2. Create written governing policies that address the broadest levels of all organizational decisions and situations:
   
   
   1. Ends: What good or benefit the organization is to produce, for which recipients, at what value.
   2. Executive Limitations: Constraints on executive authority that establish the boundaries of prudence and ethics within which all executive activity and decisions must take place.
   3. Governance Process: Specification of how the Board conceptualizes, carries out, and monitors its own performance of its responsibilities.
   4. Board-CEO Delegation: How authority is delegated and its proper use monitored, including the President’s role, authority, and accountability.
      
      
3. Provide assurance of organizational performance on Ends and Executive Limitations.
   
   
   1. Continuity of the President’s role and function.
   2. Structured monitoring of the President as outlined in Board-CEO Delegation policies.
      
      
4. Have ongoing awareness of federal, state, and local governmental bodies, as well as with other public and private organizations, regarding the immediate and prospective requisites of the College in fulfilling its Ends.
   
   
   1. The Board shall engage in an annual strategic exercise to ascertain and prioritize the College’s requirements for representation and advocacy before governmental bodies, as well as public and private institutions.
   2. When deliberating on whether to endorse proposals (or proposed initiatives submitted by governmental entities, public organizations, or private sector entities, the Board shall apply the following evaluative criteria:
      
      1. The likelihood of the proposed initiative impeding the College's ability to achieve the stated Ends.
      2. The potential ramifications of the proposed action on the long-term strategic interests of the College.
      3. The possibility that the proposed initiative could infringe upon, and/or dilute the CEO's vested authority in managing operational Means decisions.
      4. The maintenance of political neutrality, not adopting political positions or endorsing political candidates.
         
         
5. At all times, have at least two (2) Trustees who have completed the Maryland Open Meetings Act Training conducted by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and evidenced by a certificate of completion. All Trustees are encouraged to complete the training no later than the end of their first year as a Trustee.
   
   
   1. The Chair is the designated member under the Maryland Open Meetings Act who is required to attend an open meeting where the Board of Trustees votes to hold a closed session.
   2. In the Chair’s absence, the Vice Chair is the designated member under the Maryland Open Meetings Act who is required to attend an open meeting where the Board of Trustees votes to hold a closed session.
   3. In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, any other Trustee who has taken the training may serve as the designated member under the Maryland Open Meetings Act who is required to attend an open meeting where the Board of Trustees votes to hold a closed session.
      
      
6. Without compromising legal privileges and confidentiality, provide a transparent process of review and disclosure that enhances owner and stakeholder confidence in the organization’s legal counsel and auditor utilization.
   
   
   1. The Board may, at its discretion, engage in additional options to assist the Board in its decision-making, including but not limited to, appointment, compensation and oversight of the College attorney; designation of specific area(s), if any, of legal focus; and liaison with legal counsel on behalf of Board.
   2. The Board may, at its discretion, engage in additional options to assist the Board in its decision-making, including but not limited to, appointment, compensation and oversight of the College auditor; designation of specific area(s), if any, of financial areas of focus; and liaison with the auditor on behalf of Board.