ADVISORY

BOARD
DEVELOPMENT
TEMPLATE
 DEVELOPMENT IDEAS FOR SENIOR CENTER
ADVISORY BOARDS

I. What Does Chapter 6 of the Manual Say?

Resources for Advisory Board Development (optional)

II Suggestions for Individual Advisory Board Members

III. Personal Characteristics to Consider

IV. Action Plan

February 2014
What Does Chapter 6 of the Manual Say?
Refer to Guidelines for Organizational Structure and Planning Process, Appendix A,
Page 1.

Advisory Board:
The Senior Center may choose to implement an advisory entity or entities depending on
the needs of the organization. The advisory entity usually provides guidance to the
governing entity on any or all of the following:

1. development of written by-laws pertaining to the advisory entity;

2. conducting fundraising activities;
3. coordinating with other community agencies and services;
4. overseeing the development of programs and activities; and/or
5. other duties as deemed necessary.

Composition:
The advisory entity might include the following individuals such as:
1. Senior Center participants;
2. community services representatives;
3. community leaders;
4. local attorney and/or city council representatives;
5. Adult Protective Services representatives;
6. Minority representatives, possibly in the same proportion as to the general public:
and/or
7. Low income representatives, possibly in the same proportion as to the general
public.

February 2014
 Resources for Advisory Board Development (optional)
The following serves as a resource and a guide for Senior Centers who want to develop
an Advisory Board. It is a template that groups can utilize to guide the discussion on how
to plan and maintain a Senior Center Advisory Board.

The advantage of an Advisory Board is that it can support the day to day programming
efforts of the senior center.

Individual Advisory Board Member Responsibilities

• Attend all board and committee meetings and functions, such as special events.

• Be informed about the organization’s mission, services, policies, and programs.

• Review agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.

• Serve on committees or task forces and offer to take on special assignments.

• Inform others about the organization.

• Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to
the work of the board and the organization.

• Keep up-to-date on developments in the organization’s field.

• Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.

• Refrain from making special requests of the staff.

• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing
the organization’s annual financial statements.

From The Board Building Cycle, Washington, DC: Board Source, 1995

• Other__________________________________________________

• _______________________________________________________

• _______________________________________________________

February 2014
Personal Characteristics to Consider
The following list is provided to assist Senior Center Directors as they consider what
personal characteristics would be helpful in order to be an effective Advisory Board
member.

• Ability to listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people
individually and in a group.

• Willing to: prepare for and attend board and committee meetings, ask questions,
take responsibility and follow through on a given assignment, develop community
contacts that could maximize the centers mission.

• Develop certain skills if you do not already possess them, such as to: cultivate and
solicit funds, cultivate and recruit board members and other volunteers, read and
understand financial statements, learn more about the substantive program area of
the organization.

• Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views, a friendly,

responsive, and patient approach, community-building skills, a concern for the
senior center and its development, and a sense of humor.

From The Board Building Cycle, Washington, DC: Board Source, 1995

• Other_____________________________________________________________

• __________________________________________________________________

• ________________________________________________________________

February 2014
 My Senior Centers
Action Plan

February 2014