Chicago Horticultural Society/Chicago Botanic Garden
Statement of Director Commitment and Responsibilities &
Conflict of Interest Statement

The Chicago Horticultural Society (Society) governs the operations of the Chicago Botanic Garden (Garden) under a long-term contract with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.  Directors of the Society are responsible for the development and sustainability of the Garden, as well as are charged with maintaining the legacy of the Society, founded in 1893.  The Board of Directors is a corporate body led by a board Chairman and is expected to provide strategic direction and to approve Garden policies and monitor the implementation of those policies, while deferring to the Garden’s President & CEO the management of business.

The Garden is one of the premier institutions in the region and one of a select number of botanic gardens in the world that can be considered a leader across all programmatic areas.  Directorship of the Garden thus offers a sense of pride and demands a commitment to the Garden’s future. 

The following is required of Directors:

  1. Directors must demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the Chicago Botanic Garden;
  2. Directors are expected to attend and participate in meetings of the Board and committees;
  3. Directors are expected to provide financial support to the Garden through:
    1. A personal contribution to the Annual Fund of $10,000[1];
    2. Participation in the Garden’s capital campaign consistent with the member’s resources and capacity;
    3. The purchase of tickets or table, or a donation of an equivalent amount, to one annual Garden benefit party;
    4. Consideration of membership in the Garden Heritage Society with a planned gift.
  1. Directors have a responsibility to carry out their duties in an honest and professional manner and within the scope their authority as set forth in the General Corporation Laws of the State of Illinois and in the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Chicago Horticultural Society.  Therefore, Directors will:
    1. Comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
    2. Act in a manner to enhance the reputation of the Garden;
    3. Disclose potential conflicts of interest that they may have regarding any matters that may come before the Board, and abstain from discussion of and voting on any matter in which the Director has or may have a conflict of interest;
    4. Respect the confidentiality of information relating to the affairs of the Garden acquired in the course of their service as Directors, except when authorized or legally required to disclose such information;
    5. Not use confidential information acquired in the course of their service as Directors for their personal advantage; and
    6. Will annually sign a Conflict of Interest Statement.


[1] Understanding is given to directors in certain not-for-profit or government roles, or to those individuals who are experiencing times of economic hardship.  These directors are expected to make an annual contribution consistent with the capacity of the individual director to give, and with the expectation that financial support of the Garden will be a high priority in the director’s overall philanthropy.