Transparency Puts New Scrutiny on Those Serving as Directors
Dallas-based lawyer Amber Slayton is a longtime animal lover. She put her passion into practice three years ago, accepting a seat on the board of Operation Kindness, a regional animal shelter with a $2 million annual budget. Slayton has since been appointed vice president of the 12-member board, elevating her responsibilities and extending demands on her personal time.
Solos often consider posts such as Slayton’s a way to boost their profile in the local community, cultivating networks that could lead to more business. But they should give more thought to whether they’re up to the demands of the job, Slayton says.
“I very strongly agree you should only serve on a board if you are passionate about the cause and really have the heart to do the work,” she says. “You work while you’re there. No one’s paying you.”
Nonprofit boards appear to be working a lot harder these days ever since the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 pushed transparency.
Then in 2008 the IRS introduced a redesigned Form 990, which called for increased accountability for organizations claiming tax-exempt status.
Continue reading “On Board” in the November ABA Journal.
