Second, board members in these small organizations often do double duty. One mo- ment they are directors who set policy and supervise the executive. The next moment, they are volunteer staff who greet new clients, stuff envelopes, or run the phone tree for the annual fundraiser. This is an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest (though it is manageable). The board members are supervising the executive in their policy role, and doing the executive’s bidding in their staff volunteer role. Holding the executive fully responsible for the delivery of service is acceptable when the executive can fire the employee or volunteer.
