Board of Directors Application

 Vision

The Bastrop Chamber will be recognized as the principle advocate for business, prosperity, and economic sustainability for Bastrop County.

Mission

To improve business prosperity and, thereby, the quality of life in Bastrop County, through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration.

Values

Ethical ● Supportive ● Resourceful ● Respectful ● Innovative

10 Responsibilities of a Board Member

1. Determine the Organization’s Mission and Purpose

A statement of mission and purposes should articulate the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents served. It is the board of directors’ responsibility to create the mission statement and review it periodically for accuracy and validity. Each individual board member should fully understand and support it.

2. Select the Chief Executive Officer

Boards must reach consensus on the chief executive’s job description and undertake a careful search process to find the most qualified individual for the position.

3. Support the Chief Executive Officer and Assess Performance

The board should ensure that the chief executive has the moral and professional support he or she needs to further the goals for the organization. The chief executive, in partnership with the entire board, should decide upon a periodic evaluation of the chief executive’s performance. 

4. Ensure Effective Organizational Planning

As stewards of an organization, boards must actively participate with the staff in an overall planning process and assist in implementing the plan’s goals.

5. Ensure Adequate Resources

One of the board’s foremost responsibilities is to provide adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission. The board should work in partnership with the chief executive to raise funds from the community.

6. Manage Resources Effectively

The board, in order to remain accountable to its investors, the public, and to safeguard its tax-exempt status, must assist in developing the annual budget and ensuring that proper financial controls are in place.

7. Determine, Monitor and Strengthen Programs and Services

The board’s role in this area is to determine which programs are the most consistent with an organization’s mission, and to monitor their effectiveness.

8. Enhance the Organization’s Public Image

An organization’s primary link to the community, including investors, the public and the media, is the board. Clearly articulating the organization’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public, as well as garnering support form important members of the community, are important elements of a comprehensive public relations strategy.

9. Ensure Legal and Ethical Integrity and Maintain Accountability

The board is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to legal standards and ethical norms. Solid personnel policies, grievance procedures, and a clear delegation to the chief executive of hiring and managing employees will help ensure proper decorum in this area. The board must establish pertinent policies, and adhere to provisions of the organization’s bylaws and articles of incorporation.

10. Recruit and orient New Board Members: Assess Board Performance

All boards have a responsibility to articulate and make known their needs in terms of member experience, skills, and many other considerations that define a “balanced” board composition. Boards must also orient new board members to their responsibilities and the organization’s history, needs, and challenges. By evaluating its performance in fulfilling its responsibilities, the board can recognize its achievement and reach consensus on which areas need to be improved.

About Us

The Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of the business community, uniting the efforts of business and professional individuals to improve the economy, build a better community, and enable businesses & community partners to accomplish collectively what no one person or organization could do individually.

The economic well-being and future growth of the Central Texas area is directly impacted by the work being done. The Bastrop Chamber of Commerce has a major impact on the area’s business climate by representing more than 800 members and is consistently ranked in the Top 5 Largest Chambers by the Austin Business Journal.

There are three primary functions of this chamber of commerce: 1) we act as a spokesperson for the business and professional community and translate into action the group thinking of its members; 2) we provide promotional services and activities to encourage and strengthen our local economy; and 3) we render other services that cannot be effectively rendered by any other community organization both to its members and to the community.

Who Does What...

The Board of Directors is responsible for collectively guiding the DIRECTION of the Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Board governs, develops policy, and strategically plans for success. All activities should be performed within the framework of the mission statement, vision and values. The major functions of the Board are: Governance, Develop Policy and Positions, Visioning for the Future and Fiduciary Responsibility.

Staff members are responsible for the ADMINISTRATION of the Bastrop Regional Chamber of Commerce. The staff implements the policies and directions set forth by the Board of Directors. The Staff manages and directs the daily operations of the organization.

Term of Office for a Director

All elected Directors’ term of office will begin January 1st unless they are filling the unexpired term of a former board member. Elected Directors will serve a term of three-years.

Monthly Board Meeting

Board meetings are typically held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except July).

Legal Principles & Responsibilities

1. Duty of Care

Requires leaders to use reasonable care and good judgement in making their decisions on behalf of the interest of the organization.

2. Duty of Loyalty

Requires leaders to be faithful to the organization, avoiding conflicts of interest.

3. Duty of Obedience

Requires leaders to comply with governing documents (i.e. bylaws, conflict of interest, anti-trust, ethics, governance policies, etc.) 

The Four Pillars of our Strategic Plan

1. Amplify Value to Members

Provide resources and connections that help our members succeed.

2. Advocate for Business

Create an environment where businesses can find success in the Bastrop area.

3. Advance Community Excellence

Fortify community connections within the Bastrop area.

4. Align Resources for Sustainability

Enhance the credibility and financial stability of the Chamber.