How do Project Leaders and advisory boards work together?

Advisory boards work together with the Project Leader to determine project policies, oversee programs, raise funds, and evaluate effectiveness. While the Project Leader is the point person Community Partners holds responsible for the fiscally sponsored project, the advisory board is crucial to the development and performance of the project. 

A few things to note about Project Leaders in relation to volunteer advisory boards:

• Advisory boards must approve the compensation for all project leaders
  
  
• The advisory board does not have any liability for the fiscally sponsored project
  
  
• The Project Leader may be an employee (typically the project's executive director) or a volunteer advisory board member, but we strongly discourage doing both at the same time
  
  
• If a dispute arises between a Project Leader and the advisory board, Community Partners will make our best efforts to help mediate the dispute but will generally defer to the project leader
  
  
• The fiscal sponsorship relationship is governed by a contractual agreement between the Project Leader and Community Partners; the contractual agreement is not between the advisory board and Community Partners.

If a Project Leader needs assistance or guidance in developing and working with an advisory board, Community Partners offers a number of resources to help guide the process.