The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (d/b/a Prosperity Indiana) believes in a society where all persons can live and work in an environment that provides equitable access to economic and social opportunity. Prosperity Indiana builds a better future for our communities by providing advocacy, leveraging resources, and engaging an empowered network of members to create inclusive opportunities that build assets and improve lives.

Prosperity Indiana is governed by a Board of Directors that is actively engaged in setting the strategic direction of the association. The Board is representative of all geographic areas of the state.

The bylaws require that at least 51 percent of the Board of Directors represent voting member organizations of the association. Voting Members are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. All others -- individuals and organizations -- are associate members. All board members must be current members of the association or become a member before their name appears on the slate. You can find more information about membership at https://www.prosperityindiana.org.

Board of Directors meetings are held the third Friday, every other month, starting in January.

Prosperity Indiana maintains a perpetual process to nominate candidates to the Board of Directors. Once a year, the board votes on a slate of new directors to recommend to the membership for adoption.

Board nominations are processed by the Governance Committee. The Committee presents a diverse slate to the Board of Directors for approval in the last quarter of the calendar year and issues the Board approved slate for Voting Member approval at least 30 days prior to the end of the year. Generally, the board slate is approved at the November board meeting each year and presented to the membership immediately following approval.

The board member job description includes the following responsibilities.

• Support and promote Prosperity Indiana's mission, services, policies, and programs.
• Regularly attend board meetings and important related meetings and events.
• Commit and participate in committee and task force work.
• Volunteer and willingly accept assignments and complete work.
• Stay informed about committee and board matters.
• Inform others about the organization and champion the work.
• Suggest possible nominees to the board who can make significant contributions to the work of the board and
  the organization.
• Build collegial relationships and consensus with board and committee members.
• Participate actively in the board and committee annual evaluation and planning efforts.
• Make a personally meaningful financial gift and participate in fundraising.
• Adhere to the conflict of interest and confidentiality policies.
• Refrain from making special requests of the staff.
• Assist the board in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities, such as reviewing the organization’s annual financial statements.