Members of Disability Rights Texas Board of Directors reflect the diverse constituency served by the agency. We are mandated by federal acts to serve individuals with developmental, mental, sensory, and physical disabilities. Persons with disabilities, family members, and professionals are all represented on the Board of Directors. A majority of DRTx Board members must be persons with disabilities or family members of persons with disabilities.

All Board members must meet the following obligations:

• Assist Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities across Texas through focused, dedicated, and appropriate Board leadership.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of DRTx, the protection and advocacy (P&A) agency’s roles and responsibilities, and specific issues concerning people with disabilities in order to support the mission, vision, and values of the agency.
• Abide by the DRTx nondiscrimination policy, which reads: “DRTx does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity gender, national origin, sex, religion, age (40 or over), sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. DRTx reserves the right not to represent any client who openly and actively engages in activities or conduct that run counter to its mission, guiding principles, and this non-discrimination policy. DRTx does not tolerate discriminatory conduct or harassment by or towards its clients and staff. DRTx will provide, by request, reasonable accommodations necessary to provide individuals equal opportunity to participate in all of its programs and activities.”
• Regularly review and evaluate the agency’s mission, goals, and activities to ensure they align with the needs of clients and the broader disability community.
• Act as the governing body of DRTx through provision of effective, independent, and ethical leadership while representing the best interests of the agency. Board members shall ensure:
  • Accountability and stability of the organization are maintained
  • The agency remains mission-driven
  • Agency leadership is strategic in its planning
  • The agency meets its responsibilities to clients and the broader disability community
• Avoid conflicts of interest in order to remain independent and objective in all decision-making. Help protect the agency from policies and activities that conflict with its mission or its responsibility to represent client concerns.
• Ensure the agency’s compliance with federal regulations governing P&As, as well as its legal and ethical accountability.
• Determine and strengthen agency programs and services to ensure effective top-line organizational planning, including priority setting and strategic planning.
• Provide proper fiscal oversight and accountability, ensuring the agency follows sound financial policies and practices; prudently review the agency’s annual operating budget, monitor expenditures and investments, and approve the annual independent audit.
• Attend four (4) DRTx Board of Directors meetings each year. Three (3) meetings are held in Austin and one (1) is held in a different area of the state to expand access to our constituents. Board meetings are typically held on the first Saturday in February and the fourth Saturday in April, July, and September.
• Serve at least one three-year term. Members may be nominated for and serve a second three-year term for a total of six (6) years of service. Officers are elected to one-year terms, effective October 1 each year. Officers cannot serve more than two consecutive one-year terms in the same position.
• Serve on at least one committee of the Board. These committees include: Finance, Personnel, Resource Development, Strategic Planning, Bylaws and Policies, Labor Negotiations, Client Grievance, Nominations, and Executive.
• Select, support, and annually evaluate the DRTx Executive Director. Support corrective actions, when necessary.
• Serve as a public representative and spokesperson for the agency, sharing information about its mission and values both within your local community and across the state.
• Develop and help implement effective fundraising strategies to raise new unrestricted funds to increase the work capacity of the agency.
• Determine your appropriate contribution to DRTx to help sustain our programs and services. Examples may include seeking financial support for the agency from friends, family, colleagues, businesses, personal giving, in-kind contributions, and other activities as is appropriate to your individual circumstances.
• Suggest appropriate nominations for the Board and mentor new Board members, as needed.
• Participate in annual assessments of the Board’s effectiveness.

DRTx Board Job Description – Adopted 09/27/2011; Revised 06/28/2022; Adopted 06/29/2022