Board of Directors – Discussion 

The sections below are excerpted from the Bylaws of Empathy Mental Health, Inc.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4.01 Leading with Intent.  The leadership of the corporation is assigned to its Board of Directors, each of whom is expected to lead with intent. EMPATHY MENTAL HEALTH believes that leadership is more than just giving orders and making decisions. It is about inspiring and guiding a team toward a shared vision. Leading with intent involves leading with purpose, clarity, and a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and its needs. Leading with intent is a deliberate approach that empowers and inspires everyone in the organization to achieve their full potential. By clarifying the organization’s mission and purpose, communicating clearly, empowering all employees, emphasizing personal development, building strong relationships, adapting to change, and leading by example, the board will create an environment of trust, creativity, and accountability. By consistently leading with intent, the board will drive EMPATHY MENTAL HEALTH toward success, foster a positive organizational culture, achieve outstanding results, and promoting and realizing the organization’s mission.

4.02 Time and Commitment.  A June 2021 study by BoardSource found that:

  • Boards are disconnected from the communities and people they serve. Almost half (49%) of all chief executives of non-profits said that they did not have the right board members to “establish trust with the communities they serve.” Only a third of boards (32%) place a high priority on “knowledge of the community served,” and even fewer (28%) place a high priority on “membership within the community served.”
  • Boards often do not fully understand in sufficient detail the organization’s programs, services and activities, or the industry that the organization operates in; and are therefore unable to provide the leadership and direction needed by the organization to achieve is goals, objectives and mission.
  • Boards often prioritize fundraising above all else when it comes to the board’s role, at the expense of organizational strategy, relevance, and impact.
  • Board members do not spend enough time required for them to provide effective leadership and oversight.

https://leadingwithintent.org/?__hstc=98438528.47ca696c84826bfd8626c83b2becf776.1514987143707.1514987143707.1514987143707.1&__hssc=98438528.1.1514987143707&__hsfp=3060434504

In contrast to the above findings, each board member of EMPATHY MENTAL HEALTH is expected to be passionately dedicated to the mission of the organization; and to commit the time, involvement, effort and energy required to provide the leadership and direction needed by the organization to realize its goals and mission. It is expected that in terms of general duties, each board members shall be expected to

  • Regularly attend board and committee meetings.
  • Fundraising and Events: Participate in fundraising activities and attending events.
  • Advocacy and Outreach: Engage with the community, advocating for EMPATHY MENTAL HEALTH, and leverage personal networks to support the mission.
  • Staying Informed: Read reports, stay updated on the organization’s activities, and respond to communications in a timely manner.

4.06 Qualifications and Election of Directors

Qualifications and criteria for board membership include:

  1. A Director shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
  2. Diversity and Inclusion: The board shall reflect the diversity of the Wisconsin communities we serve, and in particular the City and County of Milwaukee, including race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic background.
  3. Experience: Prior experience in provision of direct care services, case management, the judicial system (e.g. Drug Court) and alternatives to incarceration, or management/leadership roles within non-profit, healthcare or social service organizations.
  4. Fundraising Skills: Experience in fundraising, grant writing, or securing donations and sponsorships.
  5. Compliance: Experience and expertise with respect to compliance with (a) IRS regulations pertaining to 501(c)(3) organizations, (b) laws and regulations pertaining to charitable organizations under Chapter 202, Stats. Subchapter II, (c) the licensing and quality assurance requirements under DHS 83, (d) documentation and billing provisions of DHS 75, and (e) involuntary commitment under Chapter 51 of Wisconsin law.
  6. Strategic Planning: Experience in strategic planning and organizational development.
  7. Technology and Innovation: Knowledge of healthcare technology, digital health solutions, or innovation in healthcare delivery.
  8. Community Engagement: Proven track record of organization and engaging with the community and building partnerships with other organizations.
  9. Ethical Standards: Strong commitment to ethical standards and transparency in governance.
  10. Advocacy: Experience in policy advocacy, particularly in healthcare or social services.
  11. Crisis Management: Ability to manage and navigate crises, whether financial, operational, or reputational.

There is considerable evidence that points to the lack of African-Americans on the boards of America’s corporations, both for-profit and non-profit. The history and legacy of racism in our country has deprived African-Americans equal opportunity and access in all spheres of life – including representation on governing boards that drive and shape our economy.

An August 2020 article entitled “Why Do Boards Have So Few Black Directors?” in the Harvard Business Review examines the underrepresentation of African-American directors on corporate boards. https://hbr.org/2020/08/why-do-boards-have-so-few-black-directors.

The findings and conclusions in the article include the following:

  1. Underrepresentation: Despite increasing diversity initiatives, African-American directors remain significantly underrepresented on corporate boards. The article identifies several barriers, including:
    1. Network Homogeneity: Board members often recruit from their own networks, which lack diversity.
    2. Biases: Both conscious and unconscious biases affect the selection process.
    3. Pipeline Issues: There is a perceived lack of qualified African-American candidates. This is often due to limited access to opportunities rather than a true lack of talent.
  2. Systemic Issues: The lack of African-American directors is a systemic issue rooted in broader societal and organizational practices.
  3. Need for Change: Addressing this issue requires a fundamental shift in how boards approach diversity and inclusion.

EMPATHY MENTAL HEALTH shall actively engage in outreach efforts to attract qualified African-Americans to serve on its board.