Role of the Board
To ensure that your sports association runs smoothly, efficiently and effectively, an Executive Committee or Board will be formed (hereinafter referred to as a Board).
A Board, at the minimum, should have a president or chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. Your association’s constitution will outline exactly what and how many roles are required on the Board.
The people on the Board provide governance for the association- they will ensure good leadership and adhere to principles of best practice. They will be “the glue” behind the association.
The Board influences how the objectives of the association are set and achieved, spells out the rules and procedures for making association decisions and determines the means of optimizing and monitoring performance, including how risk is monitored and assessed.
Keep in mind “The Board directs the association, and the manager manages’ the association”.
that may be identified in an association’s long term planning E.G: events, health and safety, day-to-day management, player development, coach development, grounds, representative program etc.
A subcommittee and staff members, like any of the association’s members is answerable to the overall Board of the association, but they will report and communicate directly to the manager or appointed representative of the association, It is recommended this is done on a monthly basis (or as required).
A subcommittee or staff member does not always have decision-making power. In this case, decision making occurs at Board meetings based on the findings and recommendations of subcommittees/staff.
Please find below a list of resources that will assist with making your board more efficient and effective
A Board, at the minimum, should have a president or chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer. Your association’s constitution will outline exactly what and how many roles are required on the Board.
The people on the Board provide governance for the association- they will ensure good leadership and adhere to principles of best practice. They will be “the glue” behind the association.
The Board influences how the objectives of the association are set and achieved, spells out the rules and procedures for making association decisions and determines the means of optimizing and monitoring performance, including how risk is monitored and assessed.
Keep in mind “The Board directs the association, and the manager manages’ the association”.
| The difference between a Board and subcommittees / paid staff: If a Board takes a more “hands off” approach to the day to day tasks of an association or club, who then tackles these day to day tasks? Subcommittees and/or paid staff generally take a more hands on approach and can be in charge of daily requirements and specific projects or areas of development for the association |
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A subcommittee and staff members, like any of the association’s members is answerable to the overall Board of the association, but they will report and communicate directly to the manager or appointed representative of the association, It is recommended this is done on a monthly basis (or as required).
A subcommittee or staff member does not always have decision-making power. In this case, decision making occurs at Board meetings based on the findings and recommendations of subcommittees/staff.
Please find below a list of resources that will assist with making your board more efficient and effective
| Resource or Link | Description |
| Sample organisational tree for a club or association |
Allows you to see the positioning of where the board, any paid staff and subcommittees sit within an association or clubs structure. |
| SNZs Basic guidelines around the role of a Board |
This document includes some “need to know” info and handy templates which may make your Board run more effectively and efficiently and ensure all members know what the role of the Board is. Specifically this document runs through;
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| Presidents role description | An example role description. Please always refer to what your association or clubs constitution lists to any specific roles of board members or for the overall board duties |