Dear Governance Matters,
My question to you is this: I am a mayor and a board member for a nonprofit organization. What functions should I be performing? What would/could I be bringing to the table so that my presence is known? What kind of strings could I pull?

Dear Enquirer,
It is not general practice to have a mayor on a nonprofit board, due to the possibility of conflicts of interest as well as expectations of favors. You should not sit on a board with the idea of "pulling strings" at city hall to help the nonprofit nor with the idea of using your position as mayor to "make your presence known" on the board.

I suggest you and your board review conflict of interest policies at BoardSource, which also offers publications on the subject.

Anne, editor
Governance Matters "Ask the Experts"