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A weekend in-person orientation session is a requirement for all new board members.

This manual is used and contains reference material on all the significant responsibilities of a board member.
(Next orientation: November 22-24, 2024)

Orientation Manual Table of Contents

• Our (unusual) Two-Tiered Governance Structure – Pages 2-6
• Purpose Statement & Franciscan Behaviors – Pages 7-8
• Stories of St. Francis and St. Clare and relevance to board service – Pages 9-15
• Franciscan Values, different from dominant culture values – Pages 16-21
• Tensions Serving on a Franciscan Board – Pages 22-23
• Roles and Responsibilities – Pages 26 -39
• Board Best Practices (separate document, below)

Appendicies

• List of All Ministries – Pages 49-55
• Franciscan Ministries Members – Pages 56-57
• Bylaws – Pages 58-71
• Guidance Documents – Page 72
• Developing a Strategic Plan – Page 86
• Mission Integration Plan & Assessment – Pages 93 – 100
• Strategy – Pages 101-103

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• Fundamentals of Board Governance & Legal Duties – Slides 6-21
• Governance Research – Slides 22-27
• Board Composition, Recruiting, Tenure, & Succession – Slides 28-38
• Constructive Partnership between Board & Executive Director – Slides 39-64
• FM Guidance on Financial Oversight & Budgets – Slides 42-44
• Mission Integration – Slides 45-46

Annual Board Effectiveness Evaluation (Example)

Bylaws — Click Here

The bylaws across all ministries have been standardized. From time to time, Franciscan Ministries may update them.

Guidance Documents — Click Here

in certain cases, the ministry board plays an advisory role to FM, but FM makes actual decision on appointment or approval. Guidance documents are created by FM to help boards understand the criteria FM will use for its appointments and approvals. Following the guidance documents aligns the board with FM and makes board recommendations likely to be accepted.

Guidance Documents Contents

• Real estate transactions – Pages 1-3
• Budgets and capital campaigns – Pages 4-6
• Solidarity contributions – Pages 7-8
• Appointment of Executive Directors – Pages 9-11
• Appointment of Board Members and Chairs – Pages 12-13
• Approval of Strategic Plans – Pages 14-15
• Approval of Mission Integration Plans – Pages 16-17

Sample Committee Charters

Governance Committee Charter
Finance Committee Charter

Annual Board Chair Requirements
Checklist – Click Here

There are certain responsibilities that need to take place annually. This checklist will help you track those.

Contingency, Transition, and Succession Planning

Sample Template

Executive Performance Reviews

It is the board’s responsibility to review the senior executive annually. The annual review is then sent to FM.

Best Practice for Performance Evaluation with Sample Template

Annual Leadership Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome

Next Pilgrimage: October 2025

Board members and ministry leadership members have an opportunity to come together to learn more about St. Francis and Clare and connect with their peers in other Franciscan ministries. The Pilgrimage is designed especially for leaders.

Annual Immersion Experiences

Immersion experiences are 3-4 day programs open to all board and ministry members. They provide an opportunity to see how other ministries are advancing the Franciscan Movement and to network with ministry peers. FM organized the programs and logistics so that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.

• Mission Casa Franciscana in Guaymas, Mexico
  NEXT DATE: October 21st – 24th 2024
• Topawa Indian Reservation, Arizona
  NEXT DATE: January 20th – 23rd 2025
• St Anthony’s Foundation, San Francisco, CA
  NEXT DATE: TBD

Joint meetings occur annually. Each board’s FM member will coordinate the date and agenda with the ministry board chair. Please refer to the following document for more information:

Joint Ministry Board and Franciscan Ministries Meeting Outline and Purpose