Governance of our Affiliate Organization

Girls Inc. of Omaha, like many other affiliate organizations (organizations affiliated with a national/international organization), uses a dual governance structure: the National organization and the local Board of Directors.

National Organization

The National organization unites and powers the network of affiliates. They help create a culture of excellence where girls thrive.

Each affiliate operates independently, and the role of National is to ensure that these local organizations have access to three key resources that allow them to make direct service a priority:

• Support to recruit, develop, and retain the excellent people—both employees and volunteers—who are the heart of the Girls Inc. Experience.
• Research-based and evidence-based programming and facilitator and mentor training to ensure the teams who support the girls reflect the population we serve, and girls have the mentors they need to follow their dreams.
• Thought partnership and technical assistance to support the consistent excellence of our affiliates.

National has the support needed to recruit and retain trained mentors to serve as program facilitators; and each affiliate, urban or rural, large or small, can leverage the strong reputation of the entire network and make the most of your local involvement, as they support local schools and communities.

Local Board of Directors

The ultimate responsibility for establishing, protecting, and defending the mission of Girls Inc. rests with the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Board is responsible for ensuring that a competent executive runs the organization, and that the organization has adequate financial resources.  Board members must be our most active, generous volunteers and donors, leading the way for others.

The Board of Directors:

• Interpret, protect and defend the mission of Girls Inc.
  • Hire, support, coach, and evaluate the executive.
  • Review & modify where necessary and adopt the executive’s near-term vision for the organization.
  • Play an integral role in developing the specific components of the strategic business plan including:
    • Tactical action.
    • Budget formulation and relevant timeline.
  • Support and help implement the strategic business plan, ensuring that it is successfully carried out.
  • Govern by:
    • Ensuring that the organization adheres to agreed-upon beliefs and values.
    • Meeting all legal obligations operating within the national, state and local laws.
    • Adhering to the organization’s bylaws.
    • Meet its fiduciary responsibilities.
  • Ensure the financial success of Girls Inc. by:
    • Ethically and prudently managing the resources of the organization.
    • Reporting to government and private funders on how money has been used and the outcomes resulting.
    • Ensuring that all Board members are informed, active ambassadors and advocates, representing Girls Inc. in his or her community and to the constituents of the organization.
    • Ensuring that all Board members meet agreed upon criteria for membership.
  • Enforce policies and protocols such as conflict of interest, investment strategies, and following all legal requirements.
  • Provide appropriate insurance and protections for directors.
  • Ensure that the Board’s bylaws allow for appropriate structure and management of the Board in order to carry out the mission, vision, and work of Girls Inc.
  • Provide clear guidelines for smooth and productive succession planning for executive, Chair of the Board, and the Board itself.

Executive Committee

As the name implies, an executive committee has special responsibilities and authorities above all other committees. Usually, an executive committee acts on behalf of the full board. Its main purpose is to facilitate decision making in between board meetings or in the case of a crisis or other urgent circumstances. The executive usually serves as an ex-officio member of this committee.