Hi Alanna, Firstly to say that I work in the UK, so my comments are from a British perspective, although I am sure my colleagues in the US would echo many of my sentiments here! I endorse all of Cindy's comments below. I'd also add a further word of caution: I work in the not for profit sector and have met too many trustees who have accepted trusteeships largely because they were flattered to be asked. Not only are there no "benefits" in the financial sense but there are responsibilities! In the UK if you become a trustee of the board of a not for profit organisations that is unincorporated, you can be jointly and severally be held financially responsible for the debts of the organisation if the trustees are found to be negligent in their duties! So that's your house and and all other personal assets on the line! That's why many charities are incorporated and trustee liability is then limited to a small amount: the same idea as with shareholder liability for a limited company. So...if you are thinking of becoming a trustee read the "small print" very carefully to establish to what extent, if any, you could be held personally liable for the debts of the organisation you would be a trustee of! In case that has scared some of you rigid about being museum trustees, I hasten to add that this is an important and essential role and I know many museums who could not operate without the governance of unpaid trustees: so very unlike the commercial world where the Board of Directors of major corporations are on substantial salaries, dividends, share options, etc., etc! Or put it another way: you don't work in museums to get rich :) ! Hope that helps rather than discourages.... Best Wishes, Jerry Symonds - Senior Internal Auditor, Historic Royal Palaces, Surrey, England. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy Boyer" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 8:28 PM Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Nonprofit Board Member Benefits Benefits? In my world, people are on the board of a nonprofit to benefit the organization, not the other way around. Okay, Okay - who called me Pollyanna? Board members serve as a service, not for compensation. There are benefits from serving on a board, but perhaps not the type that can be quantified and put into writing. They include: Association (networking) with other leaders in the community An opportunity to direct an organization and make a difference in your community "Good on the resume" professional development from participation on board actvitivies, or even formal training for some board responsibilities. We have parties and events to thank our upper level members, not our board members. Many of them are upper level members, so participate in that capacity. I know I occasionally see lists of board members for charitable foundations where there is some compensation for the foundation board members. It seems that's usually the case when it's a family foundation, and board members must travel to attend the quarterly meetings. But compensation to be on a museum or other similar board? Am I living in a Pollyanna world? Cindy Boyer Director of Museums and Education The Landmark Society of Western New York 133 S. Fitzhugh St. Rochester NY 14608 (585) 546-7029 ext. 12 [log in to unmask] The Landmark Society: Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and Planning for Tomorrow www.landmarksociety.org Confessions of a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog Facebook / MySpace -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alanna Schoen Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 2:30 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Nonprofit Board Member Benefits Hello all, Does anyone have a good resource or personal experience with defining the benefits of being a member on a Board of Trustees for a nonprofit? While monetary compensation is not the norm, should multiple parties and events, solely for the board, be expected? Are these types of compensation typically laid out in Board Orientation material? Any information would be most appreciated. Thanks, Alanna ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . 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