| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | abstain | choose not to vote |
| 2. | accessibility | ease of use for all |
| 3. | accountability | responsibility for actions and results |
| 4. | adjourn | formally end a meeting |
| 5. | advocacy | public support for a cause |
| 6. | agenda | list of meeting topics |
| 7. | amendment | formal change to a proposal |
| 8. | asset | valuable resource owned |
| 9. | audit | official financial examination |
| 10. | benchmark | standard for comparison |
| 11. | budget | planned income and spending |
| 12. | bylaws | organization’s governing rules |
| 13. | cash flow | movement of money in and out |
| 14. | chair | leader of the board |
| 15. | committee | small group for specific work |
| 16. | compliance | following laws and rules |
| 17. | confidentiality | keeping information private |
| 18. | conflict of interest | competing personal and board interests |
| 19. | consensus | general agreement |
| 20. | consent agenda | routine items approved together |
| 21. | contract | legally binding agreement |
| 22. | cybersecurity | protection of digital systems |
| 23. | deficit | shortfall after expenses |
| 24. | director | board member |
| 25. | disclosure | making important information known |
| 26. | diversity | presence of different backgrounds |
| 27. | donor | person or group giving money |
| 28. | duty of care | obligation to act carefully |
| 29. | duty of loyalty | obligation to put organization first |
| 30. | duty of obedience | obligation to follow mission and law |
| 31. | election | selection by voting |
| 32. | endowment | invested funds supporting operations |
| 33. | engagement | active involvement and participation |
| 34. | ethics | moral principles for conduct |
| 35. | evaluation | assessment of performance or value |
| 36. | executive session | private board discussion |
| 37. | expense | money spent |
| 38. | fiduciary | having duties of trust |
| 39. | forecast | estimate of future results |
| 40. | fraud | intentional deception for gain |
| 41. | fundraising | raising money for the organization |
| 42. | governance | system of oversight and control |
| 43. | governing board | group with ultimate oversight |
| 44. | grant | funding given for a purpose |
| 45. | impact | effect or influence |
| 46. | implementation | putting a plan into action |
| 47. | inclusion | ensuring people feel welcomed |
| 48. | indemnification | protection against certain losses |
| 49. | independence | freedom from undue influence |
| 50. | internal control | process reducing risk and error |
| 51. | jurisdiction | scope of legal authority |
| 52. | liability | legal responsibility for harm |
| 53. | liquidity | ability to access cash |
| 54. | majority | more than half |
| 55. | mandate | official authority or instruction |
| 56. | materiality | importance significant enough to matter |
| 57. | metric | measure of performance |
| 58. | minutes | official meeting record |
| 59. | misconduct | improper or unethical behavior |
| 60. | mission | organization’s core purpose |
| 61. | motion | formal proposal for action |
| 62. | nomination | formal recommendation for office |
| 63. | officer | senior elected board leader |
| 64. | orientation | introduction for new members |
| 65. | outcome | result of actions |
| 66. | oversight | supervision and monitoring |
| 67. | philanthropy | charitable giving and support |
| 68. | point of order | objection about procedure |
| 69. | policy | guiding rule or principle |
| 70. | precedent | earlier example guiding decisions |
| 71. | privacy | control over personal information |
| 72. | procurement | obtaining goods or services |
| 73. | proxy | authorized substitute vote |
| 74. | quorum | minimum members needed to act |
| 75. | recusal | stepping aside from a decision |
| 76. | remediation | correcting a problem |
| 77. | report | formal account of information |
| 78. | reserve | saved funds for future needs |
| 79. | resolution | formal board decision |
| 80. | retreat | extended planning meeting |
| 81. | revenue | money coming in |
| 82. | risk | possibility of loss or harm |
| 83. | sanction | penalty for wrongdoing |
| 84. | secretary | officer keeping records |
| 85. | solvency | ability to pay debts |
| 86. | stakeholder | person affected by decisions |
| 87. | stewardship | responsible management of resources |
| 88. | strategy | long-term plan for success |
| 89. | succession | planned leadership transition |
| 90. | surplus | amount left after costs |
| 91. | table | postpone discussion temporarily |
| 92. | term | fixed period of service |
| 93. | training | instruction to build skills |
| 94. | transparency | openness in processes and information |
| 95. | treasurer | officer overseeing finances |
| 96. | variance | difference from plan or budget |
| 97. | vendor | supplier of goods or services |
| 98. | vision | desired future state |
| 99. | vote | formal expression of choice |
| 100. | whistleblower | person reporting wrongdoing |
