Code of Conduct
Board service is a professional obligation. Members should behave with discretion, preparation, candor, and respect for the institution and the public it serves.
Standards of conduct
- Prepare for meetings and review materials in advance.
- Speak directly and document decisions carefully.
- Keep the mission above personal preference.
- Treat confidential matters as confidential.
- Avoid performative governance and empty symbolism.
- Respect disagreement without collapsing into faction or personalization.
Board culture
The Foundation should expect board members to be:
- clear about limits
- disciplined with time
- willing to ask hard questions
- willing to recuse when needed
- serious about the public trust attached to the role
Expectations in practice
Good board service should look like:
- reading materials before meetings
- contributing substantive comments
- following through on assigned actions
- helping the institution improve rather than merely appear active