Board of Directors FAQ
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Board of Directors for the Sidney Museum and Arts Association. We appreciate your interest. Please review the FAQ and if interested, please fill out the application and return it by November 15. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to by email and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQ
About Sidney Museum and Arts Association
Application
The Board of Directors governs the overall execution of the organization’s mission. The Sidney Museum and Arts Association is accepting applications from individuals wishing to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for 2026. The short application gives us an idea of what your interests are and gives you an idea of what areas are available for participation at the Sidney Museum and Arts Association.
The application must be submitted by November 15.
Please click on the title “application” to get the form.
Process to add Board member
The Board of Directors governs the overall execution of the organization’s mission. The Sidney Museum and Arts Association is a membership, nonprofit Washington corporation and recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit by the Internal Revenue Service. As such, the board of directors is elected annually by the membership at the annual meeting, which is usually held toward the end of November.
The application must be submitted by November 15. It will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and forwarded to the Executive Committee.
Each candidate is evaluated, and an interview scheduled to understand their background and commitment to the Sidney Museum and Arts Association’s mission.
Once an invitation is extended to sit on the Board of Directors, the candidate’s name will be added to the ballot submitted to the membership at the annual membership meeting on November 22. The candidate is given access to a copy of the board handbook detailing the board’s obligations, criteria and rules, including by-laws and standing rules. Prior to joining the board, a Conflict of Interest Policy is reviewed with the candidate and signed.
Once elected to the board of directors, the new board member will attend the monthly board meetings. At the planning meeting for 2026, which generally occurs early in the year, the new board member will have the opportunity to sign on to committees.
Term for Directors
The board positions are annual and run January through December. There are no term limits. You can have three unexcused absences from board meetings before you are removed from the Board
Number of Directors
No fewer than seven or more than 15. The number is set each year at the annual member meeting. The remaining Board members may appoint an interim Director to fill a vacancy in the event a Director resigns or is otherwise removed from the Board.
Board Member Responsibilities
The board of directors of a nonprofit has three primary legal duties known as the “duty of care,” “duty of loyalty,” and “duty of obedience.”
- Duty of Care: Take care of the nonprofit by ensuring prudent use of all assets, including facility, people, and good will;
- Duty of Loyalty: Ensure that the nonprofit’s activities and transactions are, first and foremost, advancing its mission; Recognize and disclose conflicts of interest; Make decisions that are in the best interest of the nonprofit corporation; not in the best interest of the individual board member (or any other individual or for-profit entity).
- Duty of Obedience: Ensure that the nonprofit obeys applicable laws and regulations; follows its own bylaws; and that the nonprofit adheres to its stated corporate purposes/mission.
Board member responsibilities include regular attendance at regular board meetings each month, as well as teleconference meetings and active electronic conversations as part of Board committees. The attendance policy allows for the removal of a Director if three consecutive meetings are missed without notice.
Board members also hold a fiduciary responsibility for management of the organizational capital and ensuring appropriate filings with federal, state, and local authorities consistent with 501(c)(3) status.
Board members also play very significant roles providing guidance by contributing to the organization’s culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability, as well as serving as ambassadors and advocates.
Time and Financial Considerations
Board positions require a time and energy commitment that should not be underestimated. Candidates are urged to consider personal priorities for the next year as well as ways to contribute to the development of the organization.
Meetings:
- Board Meetings – monthly
- Committee work – sit on at least 3 committees
- Annual Member Meeting
- Fundraising events – board participation is needed/required
- Art Receptions – monthly
Donations:
As with any Board, members will be solicitated for cash and/or in-kind donation; 100% participation is sought. The amount is optional but we ask board members to consider giving at a leadership level.
Board members must maintain an active membership in the Sidney Museum and Arts Association during their term.
Fundraising:
All Board members assist with fundraising efforts, by attending events, soliciting from their own networks, and acting as an ambassador for the Sidney Museum and Arts Association.
Board Resources
Washington NonProfit Handbook from Washington NonProfit Association
Board Service from the State of Washington Secretary of State’s Office