Most boards run into it sooner or later: two people think they own the same thing, or nobody does. Get your free roles and responsibilities matrix to settles that in writing, before it costs you a meeting.
Where is your board?
The country sets the right duty framing and statutory basis (US three-duty vs Canadian fiduciary + care).
What type of organization is your board?
Pick the closest match.
What type of organization is your board?
Pick the closest match.
Which roles sit on your board?
Tick every role that's on your board. Each one becomes a row in your duties matrix. You can change these later.
Want to map the board-vs-staff line too?
Add a board-vs-management authority and delegation matrix, the one-page table of who decides what. It's the single most-missing governance artifact, and it's where most boards blur the line.
Last one, what's your role? (optional)
Just helps us tailor the follow-up. Skip it if you'd rather not say, it never blocks your matrix.
Get the editable matrix as a Word document
Enter your email and we'll send the editable Word version to your inbox.
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How to build your board roles matrix
- Choose your country. The matrix is built on US or Canadian law, so the duty language is correct for your board.
- Pick your organization type. Nonprofit, credit union or co-op, or business corporation each carry different statutory duties.
- Select the roles on your board. Chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, directors, executive-committee members: tick the ones you have.
- Get your matrix. Review it on screen, then download the editable Word file to adapt and circulate.
US and Canadian versions
The duties a board owes are not the same on both sides of the border. US nonprofit law frames three fiduciary duties (care, loyalty, and obedience); Canadian statutes such as the CNCA and CBCA frame a duty of care plus a duty to act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of the corporation. The builder produces the version that matches your law, so the matrix you hand your board is accurate, not generic. For the full explainer, see the board roles and responsibilities guide.
Your matrix is the start. Aprio keeps the record.
Once your board knows who does what, Aprio keeps it on track: attendance reporting at the group and individual level, ready-made governance and compliance reports, and an audit trail of key compliance actions and dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is a board roles and responsibilities matrix?
A one-page table that maps every board role (chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, directors) to its core responsibilities and fiduciary duties, so each member knows exactly what their seat owns. The builder above generates one for your organization type.
Is the template free and editable?
Yes. Enter your email and the editable Word document is sent to you, ready to adapt: delete the roles that don’t apply, add your organization’s name, and circulate it to your board.
Does it cover Canadian boards?
Yes. The builder produces US or Canadian versions (US nonprofit, Canadian not-for-profit, credit union, or business corporation), so the duty language matches the law that governs your board.
Where does the board’s job end and management’s begin?
That is the board-vs-management delegation table included in your download: what the board reserves to itself, what it delegates to the ED or CEO, and the decisions boards most often blur.