1. Binah • January 14, 201356
I am sometimes asked, “So what
does board membership mean?” Since
I am a member of several boards of
nonprofit organizations, this is a
logical question to pose.
Board members of corporations
and businesses are paid to direct a
business. Board members of a charity
or nonprofit service organization
(such as a chessed group or
educational institution) volunteer
their time, energy, and connections
for a cause.
Board members may be connected
to the organization through their
family members, they may be
alumnae, or their children may attend
the school.
They may have an affinity or
special interest in the cause, i.e., their
nephew is a person with
developmental disabilities and they
may want to advocate for this
population. Others see a need and
step up to the plate and found a
service organization to fill the gap.
Some are recruited by their friends,
community leaders, or the founders.
Others get involved through events,
fund-raising drives, and initiatives,
gradually expanding their
commitment and skills and moving
their way up the ranks of
organizational leadership.
I was asked to join the board of
Women’s League Community
Residences by the legendary Shaindel
Warman shortly after my mother’s
passing. My mother, Rebbetzin
Selfintuition
BinahYeseirahTreadingtheboards

2. Yehudis Perlow, a”h, had served as
president since the organization’s
inception and my father, lbcl”c, the
Novominsker Rebbe, shlita, is a very
active member of the rabbinic
advisory board to whom she’eilos are
regularly addressed.
The reason for my family’s
involvement was very simple; we had
a profoundly developmentally
disabled brother who was exquisitely
cared for by the dedicated founders
and staff for many years.
Hakaras hatov was an
understatement for my feelings. I had
always admired the way Mr. and Mrs.
Warman ran the residences and at-
home services, and felt that as a
professional involved in nonprofit
organizations myself, I could learn
from the organization’s professional
yet caring management style.
I found myself in the select
company of highly devoted
individuals who supported the
organization’s wonderful work with
careful, committed decision-making.
Many had been serving since early
times, when advocacy with
government, families, and the public
for challenged individuals was a
daunting, thankless job.
In the years that led to the
establishment of Rachel’s Place
Transitional Independent Living
Program, I was one of several women
who didn’t give up on a dream. We
had encountered girls who could not
and should not live at home, who were
living on park benches, couch surfing,
or worse. Although some found their
way to the apartment of a wonderful
individual, there were just too many
for one person to tend to.
Through years of legal work,
advocacy, pleading with agencies, and
arduous fund-raising, we slowly built
an organization and a shelter at the
same time. The mission of providing
girls ages 16 to 21 with a healthy place
to live and learn life skills kept us
going through obstacles, bureaucratic
inefficiency, and lack of funds.
Friendships formed, legalities were
learned, youth development programs
were studied, and a board and
sponsoring organization were formed.
Forming, storming, and norming
are the stages in group formation
identified by the academic literature.
In our case, the passion for
accomplishing for the girls and the
nachas we saw when we provided
therapeutic support, rules,
educational guidance, and a skilled
staff allowed us to bypass the second
stage. There were no fights or grabs for
power.
We reached a level of normal
functioning after years of crisis
funding, operational challenges, and
government scrutiny. Our board
members, led by the unstoppable
directors, learned to take on
responsibilities for real property,
weddings, fund-raising, maintenance,
contracts, and advocacy. Our original
governance structure was modified to
reflect the progress of the
organization and its evolution. It was
always and is always about what is
best for our girls. The mission is the
motivator.
Every once in a while Hashem
sends me a reminder of why I do what
I do.
It was a casual conversation
between several women of different
ages in a semi-public setting. We were
all waiting for something and a chat
about work attire developed because
everyone was bored. A young woman
joined in, saying something about her
profession and that she has no need
to dress in business attire for her job.
At some point, I told her that she
looked familiar. She said she was
there accompanying her husband. A
short while later I left, and then it
struck me on the way home.
She had eaten some Yom Tov meals
Binah • 3 Shevat 5773 57
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz
Whatever your skill,
whether technical,
artistic,
administrative, or
social, your unique
abilities can be used
in a place that
requires assistance.

3. Binah • January 14, 201358
in my house a few years ago! More
than that, she was a former resident
of Rachel’s Place! She had obviously
come a long way, appearing as she did
now; a refined and tzniusdig married
woman with a professional position.
Now that’s nachas!
The purpose of this topic is more
significant than trotting out the
volunteer section of my resumé. I
want to encourage women of all ages
to participate in organizations in a
formal sense. Many of us do chessed of
all kinds. For some, it is organizing
fund-raising luncheons. For others, it
is a regular schedule of bikur cholim
visits. Some women will offer free
speech therapy to needy individuals,
while others do the bookkeeping for a
gemach. Whatever your skill, whether
technical, artistic, administrative, or
social, your unique abilities can be
used in a place that requires
assistance. Not everyone can give
money; however, most of us can give
energy and talent to a good cause.
Many people do not recognize that
formal roles are important in the
governance of an organization. An
organization requires stewardship to
ensure that its goals and mission are
being met. Charities and 501(c3)’s
(legally tax-exempt incorporated
organizations recognized by the IRS)
require a formal structure.
From a legal perspective, board
members carry a fiduciary
responsibility; they are entrusted with
responsibility for the funds and
property of the organization as well as
to carry out its mission. This means
attending regular meetings, making
responsible informed decisions, and
monitoring compliance with policies
and goals. It is not about kavod and
having your name on the stationery. It
is about taking responsibility.
Board meetings are usually run
formally and minutes are taken. An
agenda prepared in advance is
followed; items are presented for
review and are voted on when action
is needed following a motion. A
quorum (as defined in the by-laws)
ensures that due process has been
followed and that a minority of
members does not make decisions for
the organization.
Some concerns of boards are
budgets, welfare of constituents,
planning, personnel, and fiscal
soundness. Government and
community relations and fund-raising
are some activities board members
devote their energies to.
Boards elect officers: presidents,
chairs, treasurers, members of
executive, finance, and other
committees. They may decide to
amend the by-laws of the organization
to expand or limit its scope or to
change terms of board members or
nominating committees.
Advisory board members are not the
same as members of a board. The
former lend their credentials, name,
and experience to the organization;
they are not regularly involved. They
are available on a consultative basis
and usually offer the group credibility
in the public eye and moral support in
private.
Advisory boards can be easily
adjusted. One that I served on for over
10 years was eventually eliminated by
the larger organization, which no
longer felt the need for community
input and direction. Boards of directors
cannot be dissolved as readily.
Nonprofit board membership is not
about power. It is about working for the
klal through a particular group whose
mission, service, or goal you have an
affinity to. It is work and it is usually
unrecognized. It means making
difficult decisions and asking people to
help. It means learning and monitoring
the budget.
The best boards are composed of
serious people who are informed and
willing to be informed for the good of
the organization. Ideally, says one
board member with whom I have
served for many years, board members
should be people of affluence and
influence.
I respectfully disagree with him. I
believe that responsible, caring
individuals who are ready to put in time
and talent over the long haul can be
effective board members. If you are
asked to be a board member, do your
homework. Take it seriously and don’t
commit unless you can give heart and
professionalism to the job. It’s a lot
more than attending meetings and
having your name on the stationery. But
it is rewarding and it is real chessed shel
emes.
————————
Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, MS, is a
career counselor, writer, and nonprofit
management consultant. She can be
reached at faigiehorowitzss@aol.com or at
(516) 754-9440.
B
It is not about kavod
and having your
name on the
stationery. It is
about taking
responsibility.