what it means to be on the board of directors.. especially the chair of the board
it’s not like any other nonprofit structure.. it’s completly organic
in and not based on a model. so, you make it up and the “policy” from
the past are just GUIDELINES because ed is free to evolve as it will.
this is not anarchy…
this is semi-intelligent artists working together to create an
organizational structure that is unique to the entire US. ok. . .
feel free to ponder, as i do…
few points on what it means to be chair of the board by advisory board
member nisa asokan::
the chair represents the collective board of directors, while keeping
personal agenda aside
makes decisions by listening and paying attention to what is happening
.. the chair’s agenda does not take precedence over the boards
facilitate meetings that are communicative in nature, not top down,
but ground up
bring on board members who will support the mission of ed as well as
foster artistic creativity in the community, people who are interested
in working, not pontificating on policy and what “should” happen.
keep eyedrum out of debt.. this is not the same as fundraising..
eyedrum doesn’t need a ton of money.. just enough to stay afloat..
capital is not the goal.. the idea is to survive not consume.. once
the focus shifts from programming to capital, ed gets eaten up by the
big bubble of normalcy and same old same old. of course try to write
grants. get a grant writer on board.
programming comes first. if the programming is on point, the rest ($,
volunteers, members) will happen.
chair encourages individual accountability and responsibility,
encourages proactive actions from all volunteers including the board
of directors… does not assign duties or tasks, ever.
the chair of the board is simply another volunteer w/ the same, one,
vote. it doesn’t make u an AUTHORITY. you don’t have to have a ton of
experience at eyedrum to be board chair.. just have a love and respect
for the space. there is no WE in eyedrum.
keeps an eye out for integrity in programming, never cater to a crowd
or scene, and stays close to the mission of the organization.
