A board has three primary roles. They are: Duty of Care: The board must consider how every decision it makes will impact the business and then act accordingly. For example, not every board member needs to be a financial expert, but to carry out his/her fiduciary responsibilities, he/she does need a basic understanding of finances, such as reading a monthly financial statement. Duty of Loyalty: Board members must be loyal to the organizations they serve. This involves acting in the best interest of the organization, rather than for their own personal gain. If there is a conflict of interest, a director is required to disclose it in writing to the board. Duty of Obedience: Board members must understand the laws and rules that affect the organization and ensure they’re followed.