Board of Trustees - Code of Conduct
Board Approved 9/8/08
Library Board members represent the library in the community, and they represent all of the citizens in their Commissioner’s jurisdiction in making sure the library meets the community’s needs by their attention to policy, financial and legal issues that impact the organization. In order to ensure that the Board is successful and effective in fulfilling its duties, members are expected to uphold the following standards:
- To attend scheduled meetings and come prepared to contribute to the discussion of issues and business before the Board, having read the agenda and all supporting background material.
- To discuss and debate issues in a manner that is respectful of fellow Board members.
- To support in a positive manner all actions taken by the Board of Trustees even when in a minority position on such actions.
- To distinguish clearly in actions and statements between personal philosophy and attitudes and those of the institution, acknowledging the formal position of the Board even if not personally in agreement.
- To defer to the Board Chair as the official spokesperson when comments or questions are directed to the Library Board as a whole. The Chair may delegate responsibility to senior library administrators if they are best prepared to respond.
- To serve the organization as a whole rather than any special interest group or constituency. A Board member’s first obligation is to avoid any perception that he/she represents anything but the organization’s best interests.
- To refrain from becoming involved in administrative issues that are the responsibility of management, except to prohibit methods not in congruity with board policy.
- To initiate all questions or concerns with the Executive Director or, if unavailable, the Deputy Director, since their knowledge of the library system and individual staff expertise allows them to determine who can best respond or provide needed information.
- To recognize conflicts of interest between one’s position as a board member and one’s personal and professional life and, if such a conflict does arise, to declare that conflict before the board and refrain from voting on matters in which there is a conflict.
- To avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the institution.
- To observe the Open and Public Meetings Law of Georgia (Title 50, Chapter 14) and parliamentary procedure outlined in Roberts Rules of Order (revised).
- To conduct oneself ethically and in accordance with the law.
- To resign from the Board if unable to carry out the above duties.