Welcome to the Board of Directors of the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center. We appreciate your willingness and commitment to serve on the Board. Our organization fills an important need in our community and we believe that you will find serving the Board a rich and rewarding experience.

As a director, you and your fellow Board members are responsible for overseeing the Organization’s operations, while maintaining our commitment to its missions. This involves establishing our strategic direction, ensuring compliance with all applicable legal requirements, and keeping the organization financially healthy. We hope this portal will help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a director so that you can effectively carry out these duties. 

Over the past several years, many groups and organizations have placed a great emphasis on nonprofit governance. Watchdog groups regularly rate charities based in large part on the organization’s governance structure. The IRS Form 990, the reporting form that most charities must file with the IRS on an annual basis, asks for detailed information about every nonprofit organization’s governance practices and policies. Donors, foundations, and the press have also placed a greater emphasis on nonprofit governance. 

We strive to maintain a Board that promotes a culture that meets the new generation of nonprofit standards. We see meeting these new standards as the best way to practice our mission and keep the organization healthy.

Please remember, you are not alone. When exercising your responsibilities, you may draw from the expertise of your fellow directors and management. 

In addition, there are several resources available to help you carry out your work. These include:

BoardSource: BoardSource provides resources for nonprofit leaders through assessment tools, a membership program, training, an extensive website and workshops. It also provides governance consultants who work directly with nonprofit leaders to design specialized solutions that meet an organization’s needs.   www.boardsource.org

SCORE: SCORE has served as a source of free business mentoring and education for over 50 years. They offer workshops, webinars, courses, tutoring, mentoring, along with templates, forms, and much more, free of charge.   www.score.org

Maine Association of Nonprofits: BCHC is a member of the Maine Association of Nonprofits, a valuable resource for all board members. As with SCORE, there are online resources, forms, training opportunities. They also offer an Answer Center for questions, guidelines for principles and practices, job opportunities.   www.nonprofitmaine.org

Maine Archives and Museums: BCHC is also a member of Maine Archives and Museums, a valuable resource in regards to collecting institutions in the State of Maine. As members, BCHC receives a quarterly print newsletter, discounted registration for events and workshops, a forum for posting our news and access to the member directory.  www.mainemuseums.org

Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry: The Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a valuable local resource that BCHC is proud to be a member of. The Chamber provides workshops, seminars, special events, and promotions. It promotes growth and awareness of civic, cultural and educational interests of the communities it serves.  They are the “go to” resource which is needed at times, promoting networking and collaboration among its members.   biddefordsacochamber.org

Maine Philanthropy Center: The Maine Philanthropy Center is a premiere resource for building connections with Maine Grantmakers. They provide valuable training on the grant seeking precess, occasional workshops, and a Directory of Maine Grantmakers. They also offer free grant research tutorials at the Glickman Library with an appointment.   www.mainephilanthropy.org

Again, thank you for your interest and commitment to serving as a member of the Board of Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center or as a committee Chairperson. We look forward to working with you. 

Sincerely,

Diane P Cyr – Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, President of the Board