Be sure to specify whether any given policy or set of policies apply to paid or unpaid staff. Some organizations subdivide their Personnel Policy Manual for staff, volunteers and board members.

To set up your Personnel Committee, be specific about how many people you need and what expertise is required. Usually the Chair or Co-chair will be expected to participate in this standing committee. Depending on the size of the organization, the Executive Director is usually considered an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the committee. The first order of business for this committee is to define its responsibilities, which will likely include the following:

• to design, review and update all policies and practices related to personnel such as
  • application forms
  • hiring and interviewing procedures
  • salary administration
  • benefits
  • development and training
  • standard of conduct
  • position descriptions
  • performance evaluation
  • contracts
• to inform all board members of any personnel matters which may affect their liability
• to negotiate and arbitrate employee contracts and disputes, on the board’s behalf
• to advise the Finance Committee on salaries, fees, and benefits required by staff in the upcoming year
• to advise and support the Executive Director (or senior staff) on all matters related to personnel.