If you serve as a member on a state, county or local board, your work is important. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) encourages you to use this guide to understand your obligations and to help you perform your duties as a public board member to the best of your abilities.
- This page, Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions, is offered by
- Office of the Inspector General
Resource Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions
| Organization: | Office of the Inspector General |
|---|---|
| Date published: | February 1, 2022 |
| Volume: | 2 |
Who Should Use This Guide?
If your board has a role in overseeing the public manager leading a public organization – or if your board provides input on a public program, the use of public funds or the care of public property – you should read this guide. Similarly, if you are a member of a board that provides advice or recommendations to a public organization, this guide will help you fulfill your duties as a board member.
Public boards take many forms, such as:
- Public university boards of trustees
- Redevelopment authority boards of trustees
- Municipal light department boards of commissioners
- Housing authority boards
- Town finance committees
- Library boards of trustees
- Municipal select boards
- Economic development authorities
- School committees
- Any elected or appointed member of a state or municipal level governing body
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- About the Office of the Inspector General
- Chapter 1: Learn about the Public Organization
- Chapter 2: Educate Yourself about the Role of Your Board
- Chapter 3: Uphold Fiduciary Principles
- Chapter 4: Inform Yourself When Making Decisions and Voting
- Chapter 5: Actively Oversee the Executive Leading the Organization
- Chapter 6: Monitor and Protect Public Expenditures
- Chapter 7: Consider your Ethical Responsibilities
- Chapter 8: Comply with the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law
- Chapter 9: Comply with the Massachusetts Public Records Law
- Chapter 10: Detect and Report Suspected Public Fraud, Wrongdoing or Other Misuse
- Conclusion
Appendix
Downloads
Open PDF file, 934.33 KB,
Guide for Members of Public Boards and Commissions
(English, PDF 934.33 KB)
Contact
Phone
Main Office
(617) 727-9140
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F
We welcome non-English speakers to contact us. Confidential translation services are available in most languages.
Let us know which language you will need when first contacting us.
Online
Main Office
MA-IGO-General-Mail@mass.gov
Address
One Ashburton Place
Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108