Eastern Mennonite University
Board of Trustees
Executive Committee Charter
Purpose
On behalf of the EMU Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee serves two primary functions. It is the nominating committee, appointing talented members to the board with attention given to the areas of particular expertise needed to fulfill its goals. The Executive Committee also serves as the governance committee, constantly monitoring best practices in higher education governance, recommending appropriate ones for study and adoption by the board, assisting the board in asking appropriate and pertinent governance questions.
The Executive Committee and is the key means by which the board monitors best practices in governance and adopts those that promise to improve its effectiveness.
The Executive Committee serves as the compensation committee, providing guidance and oversight in determining the president's compensation.
Committee Membership
The Executive Committee will consist of the chair of the board, the vice chair, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer and the executive director of Mennonite Education Agency. The university president will serve as primary liaison to the committee (and ex-officio member?). The assistant to the president and corporate secretary to the board serves as staff and recording secretary for the committee.
Primary Governance Role
The Executive Committee shall:
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Committee Responsibilities
The Executive Committee shall exercise general oversight of membership of the Board of Trustees in collaboration with MEA according to the Statement of Arrangements and shall:
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- Periodically review the institutional bylaws to ensure compliance;
- Provide oversight in planning the agenda and strategic initiatives for the board;
- Review the profile of the board and identify areas of expertise and experience needed for upcoming board member openings;
- Identify prospective board members for future board needs;
- Recommend candidates for trustee openings to the EMU Board and to MEA;
- Provide an orientation program and regularly implement it for new board members:
- Participate in evaluating board members at the end of their terms along with self-evaluations, in regard to additional terms of service;
- Provide for continuing education and development of the Board of Trustees;
- Plan for and select the board's officers;
- Use leadership training for board and committee succession planning;
- Design and manage any term-limit policies;
- Honor and recognize retiring trustees;
- Assess the performance of the committee itself and the board as a whole.
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