A board of directors is the responsible body of a corporation. People refer to 501 (c), (3) organizations as nonprofits. While that term is in part accurate, it eliminates the most critical concept which board members must keep foremost in their thoughts about the corporation. Nonprofit simply means that directors or members of the corporation may not receive dividends or share in financial profits of the corporation. The profits of the corporation are left intact to support the provision of services to the public.

Nonprofit corporations retain all other rights and responsibilities of corporations. They may contract with other entities, incur indebtedness, purchase property and equipment, borrow money, employ staff, provide services or products to the public, disburse funds and they must file tax returns. An advantage that tax-exempt nonprofit corporations have is the ability to solicit donations that are tax deductible for the donor. Nonprofit corporations can sue and be sued.

The board of directors holds general responsibility for the corporation. Simply stated this means that the board is responsible to the public for adhering to the corporation's goals as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The board is responsible to public and private funders to ensure appropriate expenditures of grant funds and the fiscal viability of the corporation.

The board of directors is a group of people. Only when operating as a group does the board have power in the corporation. Board members, as individuals, may not purport to represent the corporation on policy issues or to negotiate with contractors unless authorized to do so in advance by official resolution of the full board. Individual board members may request an analysis of potential projects or policy changes from the Executive Director (General Manager) but cannot expect implementation from staff without approval of the full board.

The power of the board of directors increases in direct ratio to the amount of preparation each member engages in prior to board meetings. Each board member receives a package of information prior to the board meeting. Through reading of those materials along with contacting the Executive Director (General Manager) about any questions or concerns will assist the board in knowledgeably and responsibly participating in board meetings.

You may read minutes of our Board Meetings here, email our Board of Directors at; theboard @ kvmr.org, or click here to return to our Board of Directors page.