The American Cancer Society is one of the largest and oldest voluntary health organizations in the world. Established in 1913 by a small group of physicians and businessmen, the Society has been governed by volunteers since its inception. The Society’s two governing bodies, the National Assembly and the National Board of Directors, are comprised entirely of volunteers from the medical and lay communities.
The American Cancer Society’s National Assembly is responsible for electing the Society’s National Board of Directors and the nominating committee. In addition, the Assembly approves corporate bylaw changes and the division of funds policy.
The National Board of Directors is comprised of 11 officers, 24 directors (12 from the medical profession and 12 from the lay community), and eight directors at large. Directors are elected for a two-year term. The Board is responsible for setting policy, establishing long-term goals, monitoring general operations, Division charters and charter requirements, and developing and approving the national strategic plan.
The National Board meets regularly throughout the year, and a typical agenda includes discussion and voting on the Society’s major goals and strategies; reports from the chair, president, and chief executive officer; and the receipt of monitoring reports related to the executive limitations.
