Job Title:

Board Position

Position Summary

The Compassionate Hands board of Director provides broad oversight of the financial and organizational health of Compassionate Hands. The Board's role is to oversee the implementation of the mission and vision, core values and strategic plan. It adopts the policies to ensure the effective stewardship and management of Compassionate Hands, human physical and financial resources and overseas a leadership adherence to these policies.

The board meets every other month on the second Wednesday. Each board member has one vote. Each member is expected to contribute to the organization, both financially and in sharing of resources and relationships.

Board Member Responsibilities

To fully support the mission and the work of Compassionate Hands and his staff.
To represent and promote the mission goals and needs within your sphere of influence.
To serve on at least one board committee and lend your professional expertise to the organization.
To participate in a board orientation upon joining the Compassionate Hands board.
To participate in 75% of the board meetings and attend any workshops and other board development activities.
To attend and invite friends, coworkers and colleagues to all Compassionate Hands fundraising event events.
To understand that urgent needs may arrive with a seasonal shelter. As a board member you may be called upon to support these kinds of needs.

Board members have a legal obligation to act in the best interest of the organization, including:
- Duty of Care: Make informed decisions and attend to board responsibilities diligently.
- Duty of Loyalty: Avoid conflicts of interest and prioritize the organization’s mission.
- Duty of Obedience: Ensure the organization follows its mission, bylaws, and complies with laws.
- Board members must review and approve budgets, financial statements, and ensure the nonprofit uses resources wisely and legally.
- They are responsible for monitoring fundraising practices, ensuring accountability, and complying with IRS and state reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance is happening—not to execute it themselves.
While Compassionate Hands provides protections for its board members, personal liability could arise in rare circumstances, such as:
- Willful misconduct or gross negligence
- Knowingly approving illegal acts (e.g., misappropriation of funds)
- Failing to ensure payment of required payroll taxes or withholding taxes
- Breaches of fiduciary duty
To mitigate personal risk:
- Compassionate Hands maintains Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance, which helps protect board members from personal financial loss due to lawsuits or claims arising from their board service.
- Tennessee state law and federal law provide protections for volunteer board members acting in good faith for charitable purposes.

Key Financial Responsibilities and Potential Liabilities for Board Members

Board Member Agreement

As a board member of Compassionate Hands, you commit to the following responsibilities:

Serve a term of two years, renewable upon mutual agreement.
Attend and actively participate in monthly board meetings.
Exhibit Christ-like character and love for the Church.
Actively attend a church that supports Compassionate Hands.
Play an active role in serving with Compassionate Hands at least once a month.
Be present at Compassionate Hands community events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Support the mission by:
- Praying for the ministry.
- Making an annual financial gift to the ministry.
- Assisting in ticket sales and fundraising efforts.
- Making introductions to potential donors, partners, or volunteers as appropriate.
Provide strategic guidance, prayer support, and accountability to the executive leadership team.
Represent the organization with integrity and help steward its reputation in the community.
Maintain confidentiality regarding all sensitive matters discussed by the board.
Champion the mission of Compassionate Hands in both word and deed.

Key Board Positions

Primary Role
Provides leadership to the board and serves as a key liaison between the board and the Executive Director.
Responsibilities
- Presides over board meetings and works with the Executive Director to set meeting agendas.
- Ensures board functions effectively, with strong engagement and accountability.
- Supports and evaluates the Executive Director.
- Represents the board publicly and in high-level conversations with partners or funders.
- May appoint committee chairs and guide strategic direction alongside the board.
Primary Role
Oversees the financial health and integrity of the organization.
Responsibilities
- Reviews and presents monthly financial reports to the board.
- Works with staff or accountants to review budgets, audits, and financial statements.
- Helps ensure compliance with financial policies and legal standards.
- Chairs the finance committee, if applicable.
Primary Role
Maintains official records and ensures board documentation is accurate and accessible.
Responsibilities
- Records and distributes minutes from all board meetings.
- Maintains a record of board policies, bylaws, and key governance documents.
- Ensures proper notice is given for meetings and that board records are current.
Primary Role
Serves in a general leadership capacity, often assisting with special projects or committees.
Responsibilities
- Supports the work of the board through participation in meetings and events.
- Be actively engaged at least monthly in serving in the ministry of CH.
- May take on specific roles (e.g., leading a subcommittee, assisting in fundraising).
- Offers unique skill sets and perspectives that help guide decision-making aligned with the mission.
- Board members collectively set goals and reviews for ED.

WHO WE ARE

Compassionate Hands is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness and breaking cycles of poverty.

We are an extension of Wilson county Churches offering relationship, belonging, shelter, resources, and long-term support to help individuals transition from crisis to flourishing lives.

OUR MISSION

To reverse poverty by ensuring every individual has access to essential resources, opportunity for development, and a Christ-centered community to thrive.

OUR VISION

To mobilize the church and community to rethink poverty, restore dignity, and empower transformation among the poor.