The board meets monthly and holds elections every two years; however, there are no term limits. In November 2005, the  board voted 5-2 to increase board membership from seven to nine. The current board members are Reverend Tim Smith, Chair, Carl DiPietro, Co-chair, Bill Kulina, Secretary, Fran Bertonaschi, Treasurer, Deloris Livsey, Suzanne Murray, Marcella Rue, James Ryan, and Matthew Smuts. Click here for board member bios.

The overall duties of the board include:

• Planning - Plan for the organization’s future by establishing overall long and short term goals, objectives and priorities that advance the organization’s mission with relation to the needs of the community

• Governance - Provide policy governance for the organization through bylaws, financial and personnel policies, investment management, and legal compliance

•  Management Oversight - Monitor and assess the management, development, and program activities of the organization for consistency and alignment with its mission and policies

• Budget Oversight - Approve, monitor, and evaluate the organization’s budgets and request changes be made as necessary

• Select and Evaluate Executive Director - Employ and evaluate, prescribe the duties; and fix the compensation

• Community Representation - Represent the organization in the community and act as an advocate for the organization’s mission and goals; actively recruit new members; assure public confidence in the Hazelwood Initiative

• Fundraising - Actively participate in the funding of the organization through fundraising activities and a personal financial contribution

More specific duties involve:

• Regular attendance at monthly Board meetings:

o       The Board meets monthly, on the last Tuesday of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, and November from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

o       The Annual Board Meeting/Retreat is usually held on the third Monday of January—Martin Luther King Day. This is a total of eleven (11) meetings annually

o       A Director should make efforts to attend every meeting

• Serve as an officer, if elected

• Identify opportunities for publicity and recognition

• Attend HI activities and special events

•  Actively participate on at least one Board committee:

o       Standing Board Committees (Finance, Planning, Communications, Special Events, and Planting); Standing Advisory Committees (Mainstreet) (HI HOPE—inactive); and/or an ad hoc committee (Nominating)

o       Stay informed about committee matters, prepare well for meetings, and review and comment on minutes and reports

o       Get to know other committee members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus

o       Be an active participant in the committee’s annual planning and evaluation process.

• Personal financial contribution—each Board member should consider a personal financial investment appropriate to his or her particular financial situation; No minimum gift amount is established

• Participate in fundraising and special events for the organization

o       Support and attend our special events. Currently, there are October 5k; Safe Halloween; December Light-Up-Night; April Fundraiser; and three summer concerts.

• Be accountable to City, State, and Private funders for the services provided and funds expended

• Be aware of and abstain from any conflict of interest.

• Attend the Community Technical Assistance Center’s (CTAC) Core Leadership Series (mandatory)