BOARD MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION (Volunteer Position)

Want to help lead one of the area’s oldest and most prominent community theatres?

The Little Theatre of Manchester’s (LTM’s) Board of Directors is seeking nominations and individuals who might wish to be considered as potential new board members. The LTM board works closely with the Executive and Artistic Directors and others to ensure that the organization is serving our community by creating and presenting performing arts.

If you are interested in helping LTM serve our community through great theatre programming, this may be an exciting and rewarding opportunity for you. To learn more, nominate someone you know, or volunteer yourself, please contact Executive Director Dwayne Harris at (860) 647-9824 or dharris@cheneyhall.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Championing LTM’s mission, values, and programs, the Board of Directors is the governing body of LTM, responsible for and actively engaged in providing the organization with fiduciary oversight, strategic leadership, and vision.

What does board membership entail?

  • Serve at least one 3-year term

  • Attend between 7-10 board and committee meetings per year

  • Serve on at least one committee

  • Actively work to sustain and grow the organization by donating your resources, knowledge, skills, and time

Why serve on the board?

You want to promote LTM in the community to make it the premier live theatre destination.

You love LTM for entertainment, inspiring, and compelling events.

You want to ensure LTM continues to grow even stronger.

You enjoy connecting with others who are helping to maximize the LTM experience.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE LTM BOARD AS A WHOLE

As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for the following:

  • Determining the mission and purposes of LTM

  • Selecting and evaluating the performance of the CEO/Executive Director

  • Strategic and organizational planning

  • Ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management

  • Fundraising and resource development

  • Enhancing LTM’s public image

  • Assessing its performance as the governing body of LTM

 

EXPECTATIONS OF INDIVIDUAL LTM BOARD MEMBERS

Each board member is expected to:

  • Know and be fully committed to LTM’s mission, values, policies, programs, and needs

  • Know that individual board members have personal legal and moral accountability for the health and effectiveness of LTM

  • Faithfully read and understand the organization’s financial statements

  • Prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in board meetings

  • Participate fully in one or more committees

  • Serve as an active ambassador for LTM

  • Leverage connections, networks, and resources that can benefit the organization’s fundraising and reputational standing

  • Engage in identifying and securing the financial resources and partnerships necessary for LTM to advance its mission

 

BOARD MEMBERS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO:

  • Follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions

  • Give a personal financial contribution at a level that is substantial for you

  • Serve a 3-year term with the option for re-election to one additional term

  • Miss no more than 1 or 2 board meetings each year (the board meets will meet at least 7times each year)

  • As often as possible, attend activities and events sponsored by LTM, including performances, fundraising events, and other events or retreats as may be planned

  • Sign an annual conflict-of-interest disclosure and update it during the year if necessary, as well as disclose potential conflicts before meetings and actual conflicts during meetings

  • Maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of LTM

  • Support board decisions once these are made, and do not act in any way that undermines these decisions

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal candidate is someone who has the following:

  • PASSION for LTM’s mission

  • A BELIEF that LTM is performing a relevant function in the community

  • Connections to one or more of the DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES found in the area

  • SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE in any of the following areas:

    • Leadership

    • Organizational & financial management

    • Small business administration

    • Accounting

    • Fundraising

    • City or State Government

    • Law

    • Marketing or Public relations

    • Strategic or long-range planning

  • Willingness to make ANNUAL PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION to LTM and to ASK OTHERS TO CONTRIBUTE to LTM

ABOUT THE LITTLE THEATRE OF MANCHESTER, INC (LTM)

The mission of The Little Theatre of Manchester (LTM) is to foster interest in and appreciation of the performing arts; to present a wide variety of performing arts programs; to provide training for the development and perfection of skills of every phase of the dramatic arts; to present a variety of live theatre productions, concerts and other performing arts programs; and to operate Cheney Hall, the oldest operating theater in Connecticut, as a core cultural treasure in the State.

Located in Manchester, CT, LTM was founded in 1960 to produce community theatre. Since 1991, LTM has been the steward of the historic Cheney Hall, the state's oldest operating theatre venue. Today, a typical season includes five main stage plays or musicals, numerous concerts, special events, and a range of other cultural, business, civic, and private functions serving a growing annual audience of over 10,000. With the ongoing support of local businesses, corporations, state and local government, and public foundations, the diverse programming has expanded LTM’s presence on both sides of the river, gaining it wide recognition as one of the finest community theater companies in the state.