Roles & Expectations

The Art of Drinking Water is sustained by many forms of care—governance, stewardship, creative contribution, operational labor, and community voice. This document exists to bring clarity to those roles while protecting the integrity, boundaries, and dignity of everyone involved.

Guiding Principle:
We lead with clarity, move with intention, and protect care as the foundation of this work.

Board of Directors (Governance Role)

Board members serve as stewards of the organization’s mission, integrity, and long-term sustainability. Board service is a governance role—not an operational one.

Act in the best interest of the organization and its charitable purpose
Uphold fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and obedience
Participate in board meetings, votes, and strategic oversight
Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct
Disclose conflicts of interest and recuse when required

Board service is voluntary and unpaid. Any compensated work must be performed in a clearly defined, non-board capacity and approved by independent board vote.

Officers of the Board

Officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) hold additional governance responsibilities as outlined in the bylaws. These roles support leadership, compliance, and organizational continuity.

Operational & Contractor Roles (Non-Board Capacity)

Certain individuals may provide operational, creative, administrative, or strategic services to support the work of The Art of Drinking Water.

Operational roles are distinct from governance duties
Compensation is approved by independent board vote
Scope, expectations, and payment terms are documented
Individuals must recuse themselves from related board decisions

Volunteers & Contributors

Volunteers and contributors support the mission through time, skills, creativity, and presence. Participation is valued, but not extracted or coerced.

Engage in good faith and with respect for boundaries
Honor confidentiality and community trust
Represent the organization with integrity
Communicate openly if capacity changes

Community Voices & Story Contributors

The Art of Drinking Water serves as a platform for community voice and shared reflection. Story contributors are never required to explain, perform, or disclose more than they choose.

Participation is voluntary and consent-based
Stories are honored, not extracted
Contributors retain dignity, agency, and voice
Multilingual and culturally responsive access is a priority

Shared Expectations Across All Roles

Act with respect, honesty, and care
Honor confidentiality and trust
Avoid harm, exploitation, or misuse of power
Communicate with clarity and integrity
Align actions with the mission and values of the work

When Questions or Concerns Arise

Questions about roles, expectations, boundaries, or ethics should be raised early and handled with care. Concerns may be directed to the Board President, Treasurer, or an independent board member, consistent with organizational policy.