Board of Directors

Every California nonprofit must have at least three directors. These individuals guide the mission and strategy of the organization.

Key Roles:

• Chairperson of the Board (President): Leads meetings, provides direction, and ensures the organization stays mission-focused.
• Vice Chairperson (Vice President): Steps in for the Chairperson when needed and supports leadership duties.
• Secretary: Maintains corporate records, minutes, and ensures compliance filings.
• Treasurer / Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Oversees finances, budgets, and financial reporting.
• Directors-at-Large: General board members who may serve on or chair committees.

Finance Committee

• Governance Committee
• Fundraising/Development Committee
• Program/Operations Committee

Officers

Officers are elected by the Board and are legally required to carry out the corporation’s management duties.

Required Officers in California:

• President (or Chairperson of the Board)
• Secretary
• Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)

Optional Officers:

• Vice President(s)
• Assistant Secretary
• Assistant Treasurer

Duties of Officers

• President/Chairperson: Supervises overall operations, represents the nonprofit publicly, and leads board affairs.
• Vice President: Assists the President and assumes leadership when the President is unavailable.
• Secretary: Keeps official records, meeting minutes, and compliance documentation.
• Treasurer/CFO: Manages funds, prepares budgets, and provides financial reports to the Board.

Important Notes for California Nonprofits

• A minimum of three directors is required.
• One person cannot hold the roles of President, Secretary, and Treasurer simultaneously.
• An Executive Director (staff) may be appointed but typically serves in an ex officio (non-voting) role on the board.

✅ At Tandy Consulting, we help nonprofits establish strong governance structures and stay compliant with California and IRS requirements.