Service to All
Recognizing that Lamaze serves many constituencies with sometimes different and even conflicting requirements and needs, members of the Board of Directors strive to put aside individual agendas in order to best realize our vision and accomplish our mission.

Openness, Transparency and Accountability
The Board of Directors is committed to creating and nurturing an atmosphere of openness, transparency and accountability.

Conflict Resolution
The Board of Directors is committed to a swift, direct, honest approach to resolving conflict with one overriding objective – to work it out and move on.

Board/Staff Partnership
There is a strong partnership between volunteer leaders and staff based upon common expectations, trust, collaborative planning, joint evaluation, strong communication and mutual respect – information flows directly between volunteers and staff at all times.

The Nature of Debate
The Board of Directors values respectful dissent and differences of opinion and practices a philosophy of debate and constructive conflict inside the Board room, unity and enthusiastic support for our common purpose outside – we value the "confidential" protection of our Board meeting discussions.

Selection of Directors and Officers
The Board of Directors values the concept that the "position seeks the person, not the person the position." The Board recognizes the need for the continued development of new leadership and to that end encourages members to express their interest in serving and expects the Nominating Committee to approach its work as would a "search" committee.

Involvement in Affairs
Members of the Board of Directors are expected to be "engaged." This means more than being prepared for board meetings. Board members should respond to Lamaze-related communications promptly and initiate discussions on policy and other topics relevant to our mission.

Consensus Decision-Making
Though the Board votes on motions, the Board favors a consensus decision-making process followed by voting on a motion.

How Matters Come Before the Board
The Board values informed decisions – seldom will it act on a matter without first having another group or individual study the issue and make a recommendation for the Board to consider.

Governance vs. Management
The Board believes its primary responsibility is not management, but governance. It is the board that establishes direction, states desired outcomes, and determines the order in which polices will be implemented. Day-to-day management of the organization is the responsibility of the executive director and her staff.

Approved: March 2005