President

Description: Audubon Chapter Presidents are leaders of the Chapter membership they serve. Ideally, the individual who is elected as Chapter President has served the Chapter historically through other leadership roles, cultivated a healthy relationship with members and the community, and can effectively manage the Chapter through prioritization, facilitation, and delegation. One of the most important things the Chapter President can do for the Chapter is ensure that the appropriate talents and skills are built into each of the active committees. The following list of duties should serve as suggestions to help new Chapter Presidents define their roles.

Duties

• Preside over meetings of the Board and, in consultation with the Board, develop agendas for those meetings.
• Lead the Board in developing goals, objectives, annual plans and budgets.
• Be sensitive to Board members' needs. Offer encouragement and praise when needed and resolve internal Board disputes if necessary.
• Provide encouragement and recognition to volunteers. Ensure that committees have chairs and members and are fulfilling their mandates. Consult often with other Board members and committee chairs.
• Identify and cultivate emerging leaders. Be sure they are provided the training needed to move into positions of responsibility.
• Act as a spokesperson for the Chapter in the community. Be prepared to field a wide variety of phone calls that come from members of the community, the press and elected officials. Stay abreast of national and regional issues through the Chapter Networker and Audubon Newswire & In The News, and work with the Conservation Chair to be properly briefed on issues that may require response or press work.
• Encourage involvement in Audubon’s programs and participation in national issues. Maintain a relationship with Audubon by keeping up with correspondence from the State Program (if applicable), Chapter Services, the Policy Office, and other Audubon program offices.
• Fill out and return the Chapter Annual Report. Ask the Treasurer to assist with the financial reporting component of the Annual Report.
• Complete a Chapter Leader Report immediately following Chapter elections and committee assignments. Throughout the year, if leaders step up or down, or if any leader's contact information changes, send the update to Chapter Services and your State Office (if applicable).
• Make sure the Chapter has legal assistance as needed. Stay alert to any activities that may be inappropriate for a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Oversee administrative matters of the Chapter. Delegate appropriate responsibilities to other officers and members.

Chapter calendar for awards, grants and reporting