The primary responsibility of the Board of Directors for Independence Northwest mirrors that of any charitable nonprofit Board of Directors: stewardship. In addition, there are three duties of trust, as defined by law:

• Duty of due care
• Active participation
• Reasonable inquiry

At minimum, the Board of Directors is responsible for:

• Setting guiding and framework policies
• Creating initial management and personnel structure
• Creating a proper business plan for the organization;
• Working with staff to create a Quality Assurance plan
• Hiring, reviewing the performance of and setting the salary for the organization’s Executive Director
• Setting the salary/ hourly rate ranges for all staff (ensuring reasonable and customary rates are set using data from similarly situated and geographically similar organizations)
• Creating the budget in tandem with the Executive Director and independently contracted CPA
• Approving independent contractors and contracts over an internally set amount
• Ensuring financial soundness and prudence
• Receipt, review and resolution of all grievances held against any hired staff and/or the organization as a whole
• Connecting the organization to the community at large
• Assisting with fundraising efforts
• Other duties as defined and agreed upon by the Board of Directors as a collective