GP-1 Role of the Board Chair

FCC Board of Trustees Policy


Policy Type: Governance Process

Policy Title: Role of the Board Chair
Policy Number: GP-1
Date Adopted: 2.21.2024

Version: 1.0
Date Last Reviewed: 4.22.2026
Office Responsible: Board Chair

Reviewing Committee: Board of Trustees


The Frederick Community College Board Chair, who is also designated as the Board’s Chief Governance Officer – CGO, is a specially empowered member of the Board, and assures the
integrity of the Board’s processes and Policy Governance compliance.

  1. The assigned result of the Board Chair/CGO’s job is that the Board behaves consistently within its own rules and those legitimately imposed upon it from outside the organization.

    1. Meeting discussion content will include only those issues that, according to Board policy, clearly belong to the Board to decide or monitor.
    2. Information that is neither for monitoring performance nor for Board decisions will always noted as such.
    3. Deliberation will be timely, fair, orderly, and thorough, but also efficient and kept to the point.
    4. The Board’s Vice-Chair will be sufficiently informed of Board issues and processes to provide continuity in the event of planned or unexpected Board Chair/CGO absences.

  2. The authority of the Board Chair consists in making decisions that fall within topics covered by Board policies on Governance Process and Board-CEO Delegation, with the exception of (a) employment or termination of a President and (b) instances where the Board specifically delegates portions of this authority to others. The Board Chair/CGO is authorized to use any reasonable interpretation of the provisions in these policies.

    1. The Board Chair/CGO is empowered to chair Board meetings with all the commonly accepted power of that position, such as ruling and recognizing.
    2. The Board Chair/CGO is authorized to appoint the members of all Board committees.
    3. The Board Chair/CGO has no authority to make decisions about policies created by the Board within Ends and Executive Limitations policy areas. Therefore, the Board Chair/CGO has no individual authority to supervise or direct the President.
    4. The Board Chair/CGO may represent the Board to outside parties in announcing Board-stated positions and in stating the Board Chair/CGO’s decisions and interpretations within the area delegated to the Chair.
    5. The Board Chair/CGO may delegate this authority, but remains accountable for its use.

  3. The Board Chair/CGO bears responsibility for annual professional development relative to Policy Governance principles and practices
Date Of Change Version Description of Change Responsible Party
2.21.2024 1.0 First release following Policy Governance consulting work. President
4.22.2026 2.0 Removal of reference to “avoided or minimized” in item 1.2  President