Officers

President

ROLE:    To lead the Board of Directors and preside over meetings.
TERM:    1-year; elected annually at the Board’s Organizational meeting; officers may only serve for 3 consecutive years in any officer role

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Fully understand and support the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives
• Follow established policies and procedures of Cornell Cooperative Extension, consistent with federal, state, and local laws, and the guidance of Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration
• Bring personal/professional expertise and that of others to support the mission of the organization
• Serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee (when applicable)
• Oversee board and executive committee meetings
• Communicate with full board
• Serve as a key ambassador for the organization
• Work in partnership with the Executive Director to make sure board resolutions are carried out
• Call special meetings, when necessary
• Be available to sign contracts and legal documents, as necessary, consistent with annual financial authorizations of the association
• For committees not directly elected and in consultation with the Executive Director, appoint all committee members 
• Review and approve draft board meeting agendas in consultation with the Executive Director
• Assist Executive Director in coordinating and/or conducting new board member orientation
• Oversee, with the State Extension Specialist, Executive Director searches
• Oversee, with the State Extension Specialist, the Conferral of Title process for the Executive Director
• Conduct Executive Director’s annual performance evaluation
• Act as an alternate spokesperson for the organization
• Periodically consult with board members on their roles and help them assess their performance
• Review and approve leave requests and expense reimbursements for Executive Director

QUALIFICATIONS:      
• Willingness to learn 
• Understanding of basic governance and Open Meetings Law
• Must be a current board member
• Solid understanding of CCE’s mission and programs
• Commitment to upholding CCE’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as related to Civil Rights Law and to creating a culture of belonging within the organization

TIME COMMITMENTS:  
• Board meetings – minimum five times a year, but may be more frequent
• Executive committee meetings – [local]
• Meetings with Executive Director to prep for board meetings or to check-in
• Training – Board Orientation, Board President training

RESOURCES:    

 

Vice-President

Vice-President

ROLE: To carry out duties of President in their absence; leading any initiatives or committees as assigned by President
TERM: 1-year; elected annually at the Board’s Organizational meeting; officers may only serve for 3 consecutive years in any officer role

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Fully understand and support the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives
• Follow established policies and procedures of Cornell Cooperative Extension, consistent with federal, state, and local laws, and the guidance of Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration
• Bring personal/professional expertise and that of others to support the mission of the agency
• Attend all board meetings
• Serve on the executive committee
• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president
• Understand the responsibilities of the board president and be able to perform these duties in the president’s absence
• Participate as a vital part of the board leadership

QUALIFICATIONS:      
• Willingness to learn 
• Understanding of basic governance and Open Meetings Law
• Must be a current board member
• Solid understanding of CCE’s mission and programs
• Commitment to upholding CCE’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as related to Civil Rights Law and to creating a culture of belonging within the organization

TIME COMMITMENTS:  
• Board meetings – minimum five times a year, but may be more frequent
• Executive committee meetings – [local]
• Training – Board Orientation

RESOURCES:    
Board Toolbox https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox 
BoardSource https://boardsource.org/resources/board-responsibilities-structures-faqs/ 
Association Constitution https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox/constitution-revision-process
 

Secretary

ROLE:    To ensure accurate reporting of the board’s activities and decisions.
TERM:    1-year; elected annually at the Board’s Organizational meeting; officers may only serve for 3 consecutive years in any officer role

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Fully understand and support the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives
• Follow established policies and procedures of Cornell Cooperative Extension, consistent with federal, state, and local laws, and the guidance of Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration
• Bring personal/professional expertise and that of others to support the mission of the agency
• Attend all board meetings
• Serve on the executive committee
• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president
• In absence of the president and vice-president, but if a quorum is present, call the meeting to order and conduct an election for a President Pro Tem (a presiding officer for that meeting only)
• Participate as a vital part of the board leadership
• Prepare or approve and present minutes of meetings, following all requirements of Open Meetings Law
• Ensure accurate attendance records at board meetings
• May need to sign documents, such as checks, as per annual fiscal authorizations

QUALIFICATIONS:      
• Willingness to learn 
• Understanding of basic governance and Open Meetings Law
• Must be a current board member
• Solid understanding of CCE’s mission and programs
• Commitment to upholding CCE’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as related to Civil Rights Law and to creating a culture of belonging within the organization

TIME COMMITMENTS:  
• Board meetings – minimum five times a year, but may be more frequent
• Executive committee meetings – [local]
• Training – Board Orientation

RESOURCES:
Board Toolbox https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox 
BoardSource https://boardsource.org/resources/board-responsibilities-structures-faqs/ 
Association Constitution https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox/constitution-revision-process

Treasurer

ROLE: To exercise fiduciary responsibility and assure financial accountability for the organization.
TERM: 1-year; elected annually at the Board’s Organizational meeting; officers may only serve for 3 consecutive years in that role

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Fully understand and support the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives
• Follow established policies and procedures of Cornell Cooperative Extension, consistent with federal, state, and local laws, and the guidance of Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration
• Bring personal/professional expertise and that of others to support the mission of the agency
• Serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee (if applicable)
• Manage, with the finance committee, the board’s review of and action related to the board’s financial responsibilities and oversight
• Work with the Executive Director and Association and/or SBN finance staff to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis
• Present the annual budget to the board for approval, with support from Association staff
• Review the annual desk audit and/or full audit and compliance reviews; ensure board members’ questions are answered 
• Ensure internal controls and procedures are being followed and in compliance with CCE F.O.R.M. (Financial Operation Resource Manual) Codes, FASB, and GAAP 
• Consider and suggest external audits, if applicable by budgets/financial requirements or if desired by Board
• Report financials at board meetings and at the annual meeting
• Ensure completion and sign-off of year-end financials
• Depending on staff size and capability, the board treasurer may also:
  o Sign checks, if applicable 
  o Ensure proper management of investments and oversight of investment policies

QUALIFICATIONS:      
• Willingness to learn 
• Understanding of basic governance and Open Meetings Law
• Understanding the basics of nonprofit and fund balance accounting
• Must be a current board member
• Solid understanding of CCE’s mission and programs
• Commitment to upholding CCE’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as related to Civil Rights Law and to creating a culture of belonging within the organization

TIME COMMITMENTS:  
• Board meetings – minimum five times a year, but may be more frequent
• Executive committee meetings – [local]
• Training – Board Orientation

RESOURCES:    
Board Toolbox https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox 
BoardSource https://boardsource.org/resources/board-responsibilities-structures-faqs/ 
Association Constitution https://staff.cce.cornell.edu/board-toolbox/constitution-revision-process

 

Printable Officer Job Descriptions