Board Member Handbook

Welcome

At Reuniting Pathways, leadership is not defined by titles or hierarchy. It centers on walking together in trust, purpose, and shared responsibility. As a Board Member, you embrace a role rooted in collective stewardship, relational care, and commitment to our communities.

This handbook outlines our shared agreements, governance structure, financial policies, restorative practices, consensus decision-making frameworks, operational processes, and essential tools that guide our collective work.

Foundational Documents and How We Use Them

Board Members receive the following foundational documents:

  • Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation: Define our mission, vision, and collaborative leadership structure.

  • Finance and Accounting Procedures Manual: Describe how we manage budgeting, reporting, grants, and financial stewardship with transparency.

These documents serve as living resources. Board Members are expected to refer to them when making decisions, overseeing initiatives, or guiding financial matters.

Structure of Shared Leadership

The Board comprises five to nine members who bring lived experience, skills, and relational commitments. The Board and Co-Founders lead collaboratively, guided by a shared purpose rather than hierarchy.

Key Roles:

  • Circle Keeper: Facilitates meetings and ensures relational dialogue practices are upheld.

  • Resource Steward: Oversees financial stewardship in alignment with mission.

  • Storyteller: Captures and communicates organizational memory and decisions.

  • Belonging Steward: Nurtures relational care and equitable practices.

  • Youth and Community Representatives: Ground leadership in lived community realities.

Terms: Two years renewable through relational reflection and consensus.

Board Member Responsibilities

Board Members collaborate with Co-Founders to:

  • Steward strategic direction through dialogue in collaboration with co-founders.

  • Engage actively in financial oversight in collaboration with co-founders.

  • Build partnerships rooted in trust.

  • Mentor emerging leaders.

  • Model relational accountability through restorative practices.

Onboarding and Orientation

  • Introductory meeting with Co-Founders and Circle Keeper.

  • Orientation to Bylaws, Finance Manual, and Handbook.

  • Introduction to restorative practices and consensus models.

  • Setup of Board Portal access.

  • Participation in an Onboarding Restorative Circle.

  • Signing of the Board Commitment Form and Conflict Disclosure Form.

Meeting Rhythm and Participation

  • Monthly Meetings: Minimum of nine per year.

  • Special Meetings: Called with three days' notice.

  • Format: Meetings follow restorative practice structures: dialogue rounds, deep listening, and consensus decision-making.

Participation Includes:

  • Reading materials beforehand.

  • Preparing reflections.

  • Engaging with integrity, humility, and relational trust.

Meeting Norms:

  • Speak honestly.

  • Listen fully.

  • Share responsibility for outcomes.

Sample Agenda:

  • Opening Reflection.

  • Financial Update and Stewardship Check-In.

  • Project and Program Updates.

  • Dialogue Rounds on Strategic Topics.

  • Consensus-Based Decision Items.

  • Closing Reflection.

Financial Stewardship and Procedures

Roles and Practices:

  • Annual budget co-created through Board dialogue.

  • Monthly review of financial statements.

  • Grant stewardship with relational accountability.

  • Reimbursements are submitted with receipts within 30 days.

  • Annual independent financial review.

Expense Approval Process:

  • Expenditures exceeding $1,000 require a collaborative discussion between the Board and Co-Founder before commitment.

Restorative Practices in Board Work

This is currently under development 

 

 

Consensus Decision-Making Framework

Consensus prioritizes relational trust over a simple majority.

Step-by-Step Framework:

  1. Present the topic and offer background.

  2. Host a restorative dialogue round.

  3. Identify possible paths forward.

  4. Test for sufficient alignment.

  5. Surface and address concerns.

  6. Confirm consensus if sufficient alignment exists.

  7. If there is no consensus, call for a Restorative Review Circle.

  8. After reflection, move forward based on discernment.

Consensus Testing Template:

  • Green Card: I fully support moving forward.

  • Yellow Card: I have questions or concerns to discuss.

  • Red Card: I do not support moving forward and request deeper dialogue.

 

Conflict of Interest, Confidentiality, and Ethics

Annual Disclosure:

  • Board Members submit Conflict Disclosure Form annually.

  • Any emerging conflicts are disclosed immediately.

 

Ethical Conduct:

  • Confidentiality in all sensitive matters.

  • Upholding community trust in every action.

  • Alignment with the mission and relational commitments.

Conflict Disclosure Form:

  • Full details recorded.

  • Reviewed at Board onboarding and annual retreat.

Board Annual Calendar (Guidance Tool)

  • Monthly Meetings.

  • Annual Community Listening Circles.

  • Annual Financial Review.

  • Budget Planning Dialogue.

  • Restorative Reflection Retreat.

  • Annual Public Impact Report.

The calendar is adapted collaboratively each year.

Board Reflection, Evaluation, and Renewal

  • Relational self-reflection process annually.

  • Peer reflection and shared discernment.

  • Renewal decisions are made through consensus.

  • Celebrations and transitions are held through restorative practice.

Resources for Board Members

  • Full Bylaws and Articles

  • Board Handbook

  • Finance and Accounting Procedures Manual

  • Board Portal with key documents

  • Annual Calendar and Templates

 

Board Commitment Form

Board Members affirm alignment with:

  • Mission, Vision, and Values.

  • Relational and restorative leadership.

  • Active stewardship and participation.

  • Confidentiality and ethical conduct.