Join Our Board
Rice County Area United Way welcomes Board applicants from throughout the Rice County area. As a board member, you’ll be part of a team of dedicated volunteers who want to better Rice County’s future for all who live and work here. New board members typically commit to a three-year term.
Rice County Area United Way is looking for board members who truly care about promoting human potential and supporting our most vulnerable neighbors in Rice County.
To apply to join our Board, please read the roles and responsibilities below, and fill out the Board Application.
Questions? Please contact Laura Riehle-Merrill, Executive Director, at Laura@ricecountyunitedway.org.
Role of the Board
We’re proud to have a robust United Way in the Rice County area. Each United Way is independent in its leadership and local in its focus, its funding, and the organizations it supports. Board members support the work of Rice County Area United Way and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance.
While day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director, the Board/Executive Director relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of all Board members is both critical and expected.
Responsibilities
- Regularly attend board meetings and events
- Participate actively in Board and committee work, anticipating roughly 2 hours/week of volunteer work
- Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments, and complete them thoroughly and on time
- Stay informed about Board matters, prepare for meetings, and review and comment on minutes and reports
- Get to know other Board members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus
- Actively participate in the Board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts
- Participate in fundraising for the organization
- Make a financial donation to the organization that is significant to you and that reflects a commitment to the organization
Leadership, Governance and Oversight
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director as s/he develops and implements Rice County Area United Way’s strategic plan
- Review outcomes and metrics created by Rice County Area United Way for evaluating its impact, and regularly measure its performance and effectiveness using those metrics
- Review agenda and supporting materials prior to Board and committee meetings
- Approve Rice County Area United Way’s annual budget, audit reports, and material business decisions; be informed of, and meet all, legal and fiduciary responsibilities
- Contribute to the Executive Director's annual performance evaluation
- Assist the Executive Director and Nominations Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members
- Partner with the Executive Director and other board members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out
- Represent Rice County Area United Way to stakeholders; act as an ambassador for the organization at events and in the community
- Ensure Rice County Area United Way’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities Rice County Area United Way serves
Board Terms and Participation
- Board members serve a three-year term; members may serve two consecutive terms.
- Board meetings are held monthly, alternating between Faribault and Northfield locations. Board members are expected to attend all meetings except when unavoidable conflicts exist.
- Committee meetings and additional full-Board meetings are held as needed to facilitate campaign planning and execution, and grant decision-making.
Qualifications
- Must embrace Rice County Area United Way’s commitment to serve the local community in three impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, and Financial Stability.
- Should have a commitment to equity and inclusion and to working towards elimination of persistent disparities in our communities
- Demonstrated leadership in business, government, education and/or philanthropy, and a track record of community leadership
- Ability to collaborate with and attract other well-qualified, high-performing Board members