Homeward Bound Equine Network (HEN) is seeking thoughtful, dependable, and mission-driven individuals to serve as Volunteer Board Members during the organization’s founding and development. HEN’s Board is the organization’s governing body. Board service is not an honorary position or simply an opportunity to lend one’s name to the organization. Board members share responsibility for protecting HEN’s mission, exercising sound fiduciary judgment, providing meaningful oversight, and helping build an organization that can responsibly serve horses, people, and the broader community for generations. Weare looking for people with sound judgment, integrity, practical experience, and a willingness to participate. A Board member does not need to have experience with every aspect of nonprofit administration. We value a range of professional backgrounds, lived experience, skills, and perspectives, provided that each Board member is prepared to learn, participate, ask thoughtful questions, and take governance responsibilities seriously. HEN’s Board operates with a consensus-first approach, reflecting the organization’s Quaker-informed roots, while retaining formal voting procedures when a decision cannot be reached through consensus or when a formal vote is required by the Bylaws, law, or organizational policy. Core Board Responsibilities Board members are expected to: Protect and advance HEN’s mission, purpose, values, and long-term vision. Exercise independent judgment in the best interests of HEN rather than representing an outside organization, personal interest, or individual constituency. Participate actively and consistently in Board meetings, discussions, votes, committees, and special projects. Review meeting materials and financial and organizational reports in advance and arrive prepared to participate. Help establish and periodically evaluate HEN’s strategic direction and organizational priorities. Adopt, review, and maintain appropriate organizational policies and governance procedures. Exercise fiduciary oversight of HEN’s finances, including budgets, financial reports, internal controls, major expenditures, and financial sustainability. Monitor legal, regulatory, ethical, and organizational compliance. Protect HEN’s charitable assets and ensure that organizational resources are used for their intended purposes. Participate in the development and review of the annual budget and major financial decisions. Help identify appropriate funding opportunities, donors, grants, partnerships, and other resources while respecting HEN’s development policies and ethical standards. Serve as an informed ambassador for HEN within the community when appropriate. Support the Executive Director while maintaining the distinction between Board governance and day-to-day administration. The Board governs; the Executive Director manages the organization’s daily operations within the authority delegated by the Board. Participate in Board-level evaluation and oversight of the Executive Director. Maintain confidentiality concerning sensitive organizational, personnel, donor, financial, veterinary, and other protected information. Disclose actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest and comply with HEN’s Conflict of Interest Policy. Conduct Board business with honesty, respect, good faith, and consideration for the people and animals entrusted to HEN. Help cultivate a healthy, sustainable Board and participate in identifying and preparing future Board leadership. Board Participation Expectations HEN is looking for active Board members, not passive members. Board members are expected to: Attend scheduled Board meetings consistently and participate meaningfully. Read and consider materials provided before meetings. Participate in Board discussions and decision-making. Serve on committees or working groups when requested and appropriate. Complete assignments and follow through on commitments. Participate in special meetings when circumstances require Board action. Raise questions or concerns promptly rather than allowing problems to go unaddressed. Respect Board decisions once properly made, while retaining the right and responsibility to raise good-faith concerns through appropriate governance channels. Maintain appropriate boundaries between Board oversight and staff responsibilities. Refrain from directing employees, volunteers, contractors, or other staff outside the authority delegated to them by the Board. Participate in periodic review of Board effectiveness and individual Board participation. HEN recognizes that Board members have professional, family, and personal obligations. At the same time, Board service carries a real responsibility. Continued participation and attendance are therefore considered part of the Board member’s service, and the Board may review continued service when attendance or participation becomes consistently inadequate. What HEN Is Looking For HEN welcomes Board candidates with experience in areas such as: Business or organizational management Finance, accounting, banking, or financial controls Law, compliance, or nonprofit governance Strategic planning Fundraising and development Grant writing or grant administration Equine, veterinary, agricultural, or animal-welfare fields Education and community programming Human resources Operations and project management Communications, media, or public relations Conservation or land stewardship Community engagement Nonprofit leadership Facilities, property, construction, or land management Technology, data, or organizational systems Prior nonprofit Board experience is valuable but not required. HEN is particularly interested in people who bring useful expertise while also demonstrating sound judgment, reliability, humility, and a willingness to work as part of a governing body. Minimum Expectations for Board Service Candidates should be able to demonstrate: A genuine commitment to HEN’s mission and charitable purpose. Integrity and sound personal judgment. The ability to work respectfully with people who bring different experiences and perspectives. The ability to evaluate information carefully before making decisions. Comfort asking difficult or necessary questions. An understanding that fiduciary responsibility is a serious obligation. The ability to maintain confidentiality. A willingness to comply with HEN’s Bylaws, policies, and applicable law. The ability to distinguish personal preference from the legal and fiduciary interests of the organization. A willingness to contribute time beyond simply attending meetings. BOARD OFFICERS HEN’s Board includes designated officer responsibilities. Individuals interested in Board service may also be considered for an officer position when their experience, availability, and qualifications are appropriate. BOARD VICE PRESIDENT The Vice President serves as a principal supporting officer of the Board and helps provide continuity, stability, and effective leadership. The Vice President shall: Support the Board President in carrying out the responsibilities of the office. Preside over Board meetings when the President is absent, unavailable, or otherwise unable to preside. Assume the duties and authority of the President on an interim basis when required by the Bylaws or authorized by the Board. Work with the President to support effective Board meetings, governance, and strategic discussions. Help maintain continuity of Board leadership during periods of transition. Assist with Board-level projects, committees, strategic initiatives, or special assignments as designated by the President or Board. Participate actively in Executive Director oversight and other major governance responsibilities. Help identify emerging governance issues and bring them to the attention of the President and Board. Support Board development, including orientation and mentoring of new Board members when appropriate. Serve as a liaison for Board committees or working groups when designated. Be prepared to assume the office of President when required by HEN’s Bylaws or when elected or appointed by the Board. Perform other duties assigned by the Board or Bylaws. The Vice President is not simply a substitute meeting chair. The position is intended to provide a second layer of Board leadership and ensure that HEN has continuity when circumstances prevent the President from carrying out the duties of the office. The Vice President remains a member of the Board and therefore retains the same fiduciary responsibilities, confidentiality obligations, conflict-of-interest requirements, attendance expectations, and duty to act in HEN’s best interests as every other Director. BOARD SECRETARY The Secretary is responsible for supporting the integrity and continuity of HEN’s corporate and Board records. The Secretary shall: Attend Board meetings and ensure accurate minutes are prepared and maintained. Record formal Board actions, including motions, votes, approvals, and other required actions. Maintain official Board records in accordance with HEN’s document-retention requirements. Maintain the official record of Board policies, resolutions, and amendments. Assist with preparation and distribution of Board meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and related materials as assigned. Maintain appropriate records of Board membership and officer appointments. Assist with required corporate filings and certifications when appropriate. Maintain the organization’s official governance records in coordination with the Executive Director and other responsible officers. Ensure that executed governance documents are properly retained. Help maintain continuity when Board members or officers transition. Carry out other duties assigned to the Secretary by the Board, Bylaws, or applicable law. The Secretary is a governance officer, not an administrative assistant to the Board or Executive Director. Administrative support may be delegated appropriately; the Secretary remains responsible for ensuring that required corporate and governance records are properly maintained. INTERIM TREASURER During HEN’s organizational development, the Board may appoint an Interim Treasurer until a qualified Financial Officer/Treasurer is appointed. The Interim Treasurer provides Board-level financial oversight and helps establish the financial recordkeeping, controls, reporting practices, and accountability systems HEN will need as it grows. The Interim Treasurer shall: Monitor HEN’s financial condition and report significant concerns to the Board. Review financial statements and reports presented to the Board. Assist with development and review of the organizational budget. Help establish appropriate financial controls and separation-of-duties procedures. Monitor compliance with Board-approved financial policies. Assist with banking and financial-account access as authorized by the Board. Review significant expenditures and financial commitments within the scope of Board authority. Help ensure appropriate documentation of financial transactions. Assist with preparation for required governmental, charitable, tax, audit, review, or other financial reporting. Work with the Executive Director and appropriate staff or contractors concerning financial information while preserving the Board’s independent oversight responsibility. Bring significant financial risks, irregularities, or concerns to the Board promptly. Maintain appropriate confidentiality concerning HEN’s financial information. Assist in establishing systems that can be transferred effectively to the organization’s permanent Financial Officer/Treasurer. The Interim Treasurer is a temporary governance role. When a qualified permanent Financial Officer/Treasurer is appointed, the Interim Treasurer shall assist with an orderly transition of records, authority, responsibilities, financial information, institutional knowledge, and access. Vermont-Based Financial Leadership Opportunity For an Interim Treasurer who is local to Vermont and possesses the appropriate qualifications and experience, HEN may consider that individual for transition into the organization’s paid Financial Officer/Treasurer position as the organization develops. This is not an automatic appointment or guarantee of employment. Any transition would be subject to the Board’s approval, the individual’s qualifications, organizational need, applicable conflict-of-interest requirements, and the terms established for the paid position. The Financial Officer/Treasurer position combines Board-level financial stewardship with appropriate operational financial administration. The individual serving in that role would be responsible for carrying out the financial systems and duties assigned to the position while remaining accountable to the Board and maintaining appropriate separation of duties and financial controls. A Board member who subsequently becomes HEN’s paid Financial Officer/Treasurer must comply with all applicable conflict-of-interest, fiduciary, compensation, and governance requirements. TIME COMMITMENT Board service requires a meaningful and sustained commitment of time. The anticipated commitment includes: Regularly scheduled Board meetings. Preparation and review of Board materials. Committee or working-group participation as assigned. Special meetings when necessary. Periodic strategic, financial, or organizational planning. Reasonable participation in HEN events, development efforts, or other activities when appropriate to the Board member’s role and availability. The Board will establish its meeting schedule and procedures in accordance with HEN’s Bylaws and organizational needs. COMPENSATION Board service is voluntary and unpaid unless otherwise specifically authorized in accordance with HEN’s governing documents, applicable law, and conflict-of-interest requirements. Board members may be reimbursed for authorized expenses incurred on behalf of HEN in accordance with organizational policy. A separate paid staff or officer position is not created merely by serving on the Board. Any paid position must be separately authorized and structured in accordance with HEN’s governance and conflict-of-interest requirements. THE HEN BOARD HEN is intentionally building a Board that can grow with the organization. The Board is responsible for stewardship, accountability, strategic direction, fiduciary oversight, and protection of HEN’s charitable purpose. Staff is responsible for carrying out the organization’s day-to-day work within the authority established by the Board. We are looking for Board members who understand that good governance is both a privilege and a responsibility: people who are willing to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, make difficult decisions when necessary, support the organization’s leadership, hold the organization accountable to its mission, and remain engaged in the work. HEN’s goal is not simply to assemble a large Board. It is to build a deliberate, capable, trustworthy governing body whose members bring complementary strengths and share a commitment to responsible stewardship. How to Express Interest Individuals interested in serving on the HEN Board should be prepared to provide a résumé or professional background, a brief statement describing their interest in HEN and Board service, and information regarding the skills or experience they would bring to the organization. Board candidates may be invited to participate in an interview or conversation with HEN leadership before appointment. Homeward Bound Equine Network Where Rescue Meets Regeneration.