WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?

The Board of The Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma is comprised of two parts:

1. The Board
2. The Executive Board

1. The Board plays a critical role in guiding the organization’s vision, mission, strategy, and operations. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Mission & Vision Stewardship

• Uphold the Interfaith Focus: Ensure the organization remains committed to its vision and mission of promoting understanding, cooperation, and dialogue among different faiths, religions, belief systems and spiritual traditions.
• Foster Inclusivity: Maintain a balanced representation of diversity and faiths

2. Governance & Oversight

• Policy Making: Develop and enforce policies to govern ethically and legally
• Legal & Ethical Compliance: Ensure the nonprofit complies with all applicable laws, IRS regulations, and ethical standards

3. Strategic Planning

• Set Long-Term Goals: Collaborate with leadership to set strategic priorities
• Monitor Progress: Regularly review performance against the priorities

4. Financial Oversight

• Budget Approval: Develop, review and approve annual budgets.
• Fundraising Support: Help raise funds through donations, events, or potential donors.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Ensure management of the nonprofit’s resources.

5. Community Engagement

• Ambassadorship: Represent the organization publicly and build relationships with faith communities, civic groups, and other stakeholders.
• Program Support: Attend events, participate in interfaith dialogues, and support educational or service initiatives.

6. Board Development

• Recruit New Members: Identify and recruit individuals who bring diverse faith perspectives and needed skills.
• Training and Evaluation: Participate in ongoing learning about interfaith issues and best practices in nonprofit governance.

7. Conflict Sensitivity & Bridge Building

• Manage Tensions Respectfully: Help navigate complex interfaith issues and promote respectful dialogue.
• Promote Unity: Foster collaborative relationships even when theological or political differences arise.

1. The Executive Board is a smaller group within the full board of directors, tasked with handling more focused, often time-sensitive matters between regular board meetings. Their role is both strategic, operational and administrative. The Executive Board is composed of:

• Board Chair / President
• Vice President (s)
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Immediate Past President
• Executive Director (optional)

Here’s what an Executive Board of The Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma does:

1. Act on Behalf of the Full Board

• Implements board policies and directives between meetings
• Ensures continuity of leadership and oversight
• Makes decisions on urgent issues

2. Supports the President

• Serves as a sounding board for the President
• Provides guidance and support on operational and public-facing matters
• Helps set goals and reviews performance of people and the organization

3. Oversee Internal Governance

• Helps prepare agendas for full board meetings.
• Reviews bylaws, board policies, and governance structures periodically
• Addresses board member issues (e.g. absences, conflicts of interest)

4. Lead Financial Oversight

• Develop, reviews budgets, financial statements, and key funding decisions ahead of full board approval
• Make financial decisions within approved thresholds

5. Coordinate & Execution of Strategic Priorities

• Ensures alignment between ongoing operations and long-term strategy.
• Helps steer the organization through sensitive issues or public responses to crises
• Executes the key strategic priorities and initiatives on a continuous basis

6. Ensure Integrity

• Acts as a guardian of the organization’s interfaith ethos—ensuring decisions reflect a balanced, inclusive, and respectful approach across faith traditions.
• Resolve conflicts or issues that affect communities to build trust