Board of Directors Responsibilities

Our Mission

The Maryland Center on Economic Policy advances innovative policy ideas to foster broad
prosperity and help our state be the standard-bearer for responsible public policy. We
engage in research, analysis, strategic communications, public education, and grassroots
alliances promoting robust debate and greater public awareness of the policy choices
Maryland residents face together.

Founding Principles

Every Marylander should be able to achieve their full potential in a healthy economy that
offers a widely-shared, rising standard of living.

MDCEP believes that:

• Government that is open, accountable, and responsive has an active role to play to
  help people reach their full potential;
• Public debate benefits from evidence-based research; and
• Maryland should lead the way with fiscally sound policies that support working
  families, thriving businesses, and a strong civic sector.

Position

Members of the Board of Directors will support the work of the Maryland Center on
Economic Policy and its President and CEO by providing leadership, helping to set
direction, and serving in numerous ways to advance the organization and its mission. As
part of this mission, we work to embed racial equity into the board’s culture and practice and
support the work of staff to embed racial equity into their culture and practice.

Benefits

Being a volunteer board member for MDCEP will provide avenues for you to not only
support a thriving Maryland, but will grant opportunities for professional development and
skill and resume-building. MDCEP is a member of Maryland Nonprofits, and membership on
the board will allow you to access the abundance of resources and training there related to
growing your leadership and building nonprofit capacity. Board members also have access
to a national peer-learning network of board members at similar state fiscal policy
organizations.

For board members who may need it, the organization will reimburse you for transportation
and child-care costs that are needed in order to attend board or committee meetings.

The board overall is responsible for:

Establishing Direction

• Work with the President and CEO to set and monitor progress toward strategic goals
  and establish strategic direction.
• Develop policies for organizational management.
• Help inform MDCEP of issues and concerns expressed by constituencies or the
  public.

Helping Build the Organization

• Support the President/CEO and fellow Board members in all efforts to grow
  fundraising and organizational sustainability. The MDCEP Board affirms that
  economic diversity is essential for a flourishing and effective Board. Given that each
  Director and the Board as a whole serve a critical role in ensuring our organization’s
  sustainability, we are committed to collective action to meet the goal of 100% Board
  Giving. There are many ways to contribute, including direct cash gifts, having
  someone donate on your behalf, writing personal notes in donor appeals, identifying
  prospects, fundraising within your networks, etc. Over the past three years, average
  contributions by Directors ranged from $100/year to $1200/year. All gifts were, and
  always will be, welcome and deeply appreciated. In our effort to preserve the privacy
  and dignity of each person, we report on progress toward our 100% Board Giving
  Goal and on total board giving, but there is no internal or external reporting on the
  contributions made by individual Directors.
• Be an ambassador of the organization to the communities of which you are a part.
  Promote the organization’s work and mission, improve its visibility and help establish
  links to key constituencies, people and institutions. Such activities could include
  mentioning MDCEP wherever you can and referring individuals to its website;
  obtaining contact information from people who you think could be helpful to MDCEP
  and giving it to the President/CEO; forwarding emails and mailings you receive from
  MDCEP as appropriate.
• Approve and help guide the budget by reviewing financial statements and helping
  the Board fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities.
• Work to build strategic relationships with individuals and organizations that can grow
  the capacity and influence of MDCEP.
• Donate personally to MDCEP each year at a level within your capacity, and that at
  least matches your largest contribution to nonprofit organizations.

Providing Oversight

• Work with the President/CEO and Board members to review and evaluate the
  organization’s efforts towards strategic outcomes.
• Establish financial and management policies to ensure accountability.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and ethical standards.
• Participate in the annual performance evaluation of the President/CEO.

Individual Board Member Responsibilities

• Attend board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.
• Help grow and strengthen the Board by suggesting candidates that can make
  contributions to the organization.
• Be fully informed about the organization’s mission, research, and activities.
• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
• Serve on committees and subgroups, and offer to take on special assignments.
• Review and follow conflict-of-interest and confidentiality policies.
• Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
• Serve as a resource to MDCEP in your areas of personal expertise, providing advice
  and counsel forthrightly and in the best interests of the organization.
• Do not disclose confidential information about MDCEP or Board discussions.

Term

Members of the MDCEP Board of Directors serve a two-year term and are eligible for reappointment for up to two additional terms upon completion. Board meetings are held every
other month and committee meetings take place on an as needed-basis. Board service runs
October – September.

Contact President and CEO Benjamin Orr for more information.