What it means to be an Advisory Board member

"The most important qualification for Advisory Board members should be that they care about the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, which means that they are determined to make their caring count."      

The role of an Advisory Board Member at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown includes:

1. Being actively involved in the life of the university with an interest in education.
2. Being commited to regular attendance and participation at three Advisory Board meetings and at meetings of the board committees to which you are assigned. This commitment includes preparation for meetings and a familiarity with materials sent out in advance of meetings.
3. Participating in the major advisory duties concerning the educational and economical needs of the audiences served by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The Board will elicit and maintain public support for the institution, actively participate in the fund raising program, and counsel administration.
4. Participating by attendance at lectures, sporting events, and performances, and joining in social functions as a way of becoming acquainted with students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
5. Showing a willingness to share of yourself in Board activities. Your talents, skills, abilities,
   and resources will help advance the university.
6. Supporting the University's fund raising efforts through personal giving to the annual fund at the Century Club level of at least $250 annually, special campaigns, and the endowment (through lifetime or planned gifts). Whether large or small, your financial gift is an indispensable example to other contributors. In addition, through your own initiative or through a request from Institutional Advancement, assisting in the solicitation of funds.
7. Exhibiting an openness and commitment to the mission of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  Being willing to say a good word about the University whenever or wherever you can.  Being an advocate in the community on behalf of the University.
8. Thinking professionally about your role as Advisory Board member. Maintaining the confidential nature of Board deliberations.  Learning to use designated institutional channels when conducting Board business.
9. Making judgments always on the basis of what is best for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown as a whole and for the advancement of the educational process.  Being willing to vote according to your individual conviction, to challenge the judgment of others when necessary, to support the majority decision of the board, and to work with fellow Board members in a spirit of cooperation.
10. Realizing that you are the ultimate custodian of the values of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and that as such, you must be constantly looking toward the future. Board members  have no more urgent task than raising money to meet defined goals set by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  This is the beginning, continuing, and never-ending work of a Board that takes seriously its custodianship of the values and institutional mission of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

The preceding information was taken from “20 Steps to Responsible Trusteeship”, May/June 1993, and Trustee Responsibilities, a Pocket Publication of the Association of Governing Boards. Material has been used with permission.