Board Governance Policies

Approved/revised: October 10, 1995

   A.2.5.4 Board Chair's Role

The job "product" of the Chair is, primarily, the integrity of the Board's process and, secondarily, representation of the Board when required to outside parties. The Chair is the only Board member authorized to speak for the Board (beyond simply reporting Board decisions), other than in rare and specifically authorized instances.

    1. The job output of the Chair is that the Board behaves consistent with its own rules and those imposed upon it by legislation.

      i) Meeting discussion content will only be those issues which, according to Board policy, clearly belong to the Board to decide.

      ii) Deliberation will be fair, open and thorough, but also efficient, timely, orderly and kept to the point.

    2. The authority of the Chair consists in making decisions that fall within the topics covered by Board policies on Governance Process and Board - President Relationship, except where the Board specifically delegates portions of this authority to others. The Chair is authorized to use any reasonable interpretation of the provisions in these policies.

      i) The Chair is empowered to chair Board meetings with all the commonly accepted power of that position (e.g. ruling, recognizing).

      ii) The Chair has no authority to make decisions about policies created by the Board within Ends and Executive Limitations policy areas. Therefore, the Chair has no authority to supervise or direct the President.

      iii) 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 him or her.

    3. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair will assume these responsibilities.