On Wednesday, the Lowndes County Board of supervisors made two new appointments to the nine-member Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Kris Davis and Sidney Runnels were chosen to fill two expired terms — one occupied by Brock Reynolds, who chose not to apply for another four-year term and the other by Quinn Brislin, who reapplied but was not selected to serve another term.

The new appointments come at an important time for the CVB board, which is currently in the process of selecting a new CEO to replace Nancy Carpenter, who has served in that capacity since 2011. Carpenter’s last day at the CVB is March 31.

The changes on the board are a good time to reflect on the important role these volunteer board members play in promoting tourism in our city. The CVB is entrusted with managing revenues created by the city’s 2% restaurant tax, which generates nearly $2 million annually.

The board’s relationship with the CEO is an important dynamic in making sure those dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. That relationship is much like the story of Goldilocks. A board’s influence can be too strong or too weak. We’ve seen both examples in a variety of boards over the years and we’ve seen how they have hampered their missions.

So, like Goldilocks, we are looking for “just right.”

What does that mean in a board and CEO relationship?

It means that both parties understand and perform their distinct functions. For the leader, it means managing the day-to-day details of the organization, providing leadership and making recommendations.

For the board member, it means setting policy, acting on recommendations from the leader  and performing oversight, especially when it comes to the budget. It also means asking questions and participating in the discussions that shape CVB’s decisions.

The board should be neither a rubber stamp for the leader’s recommendations nor an obstacle to progress.

In the best circumstances the relationship between the board and its leader is described as complementary. In bad circumstances, the relationship is adversarial or the board simply acts as a rubber stamp for the leader.

Even the most competent and well-intentioned leader needs the feedback an engaged and informed board can provide. Likewise, a board works best when it demonstrates faith in its leader to do his or her job.

As Davis and Runnels join the other members of the CVB Board, we encourage them to be informed and active voices in their important roles.

Like Goldilocks, we’re looking for a “just right” fit.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.