Role of a Commissioner
Committed community members are essential to the success of Forks Community Hospital.
Serving Our Community: The Role of a Public Hospital District Commissioner
Forks Community Hospital (Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 1) is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. Elected by the voters of our district, these dedicated community members serve six-year terms and are responsible for ensuring our hospital and clinics provide high-quality, sustainable healthcare to the West End.
Whether you are looking to learn more about how your hospital district operates or are considering running for an open seat in the future, this guide outlines what it means to serve as a Commissioner.
What is the Mission of a Commissioner?
The Board of Commissioners acts as the “steering wheel” of the hospital district. They do not manage the day-to-day operations or supervise hospital staff—that is the job of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Instead, the Board provides high-level governance, oversight, and strategic direction.
The Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts details the role of Commissioners serving on a Public Hospital District board, these include:
Uphold Fiduciary Duties Ensuring Compliance with RCW 70.44
- Serve as the voice of constituents
- Serve in the best interest of the public hospital district, providing health care access to the district’s community
- Comply with state and federal regulations
- Act in an ethical manner
Understand their role in governance oversight RCW 70.44.060
- Visionary of the public hospital district
- Mission-driven focus
- Strategic planning for the long-term goals of the public hospital district
- Create and adopt public hospital district policies
- Provide governance oversight
- Delegate the district’s day-to-day operations to the districts CEO
Carry Out Their Responsibilities
- Oversight of the CEO (the board’s one and only employee)
- Providing strategic direction
- Having oversight of safety & quality
- Approving the budget
- Developing the board’s education, leadership skills, and team dynamics
- Advocating on behalf of the community to local and state officials
Time Commitment
Serving on the Board requires a meaningful commitment of time and energy to properly represent the public. Commissioners are expected to:
- Prepare for and attend regular monthly Board meetings (currently held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.).
- Serve on various hospital committees (such as the Finance, Performance Improvement, Patient Family Advisory or Ethics committees), which usually meet once a month.
- Participate in annual budget hearings, strategic planning retreats, and community events.
- Complete mandatory state training on the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act.
Who Can Serve?
To be eligible to serve as a Commissioner, you must be:
- A U.S. citizen and a registered voter.
- A resident within the boundaries of Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 1.
- Note: To prevent conflicts of interest, a Commissioner cannot simultaneously be an employee of the District.
View a map of Clallam County Public Hospital District No.1 (PDF, Clallam County website)
Ethics and Accountability
Commissioners are held to strict ethical and legal standards. They must act in the best interests of the entire community, avoid conflicts of interest, and file annual financial disclosures with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. They also operate with high transparency, making decisions in open public meetings and maintaining the confidentiality of patient and personnel records.
Get Involved
Strong governance requires strong community engagement. As part of our active succession planning, we publish this information to encourage qualified, passionate residents to consider stepping into leadership roles when commissioner terms expire.
If you are interested in local health care leadership or public service, we encourage you to attend our monthly Board meetings which are held fourth Tuesday at 5:00p.m. in the Leibold Conference Room located at 421 5th Ave. We encourage community members to attend, as this is one of the best ways to stay informed and see your Commissioners in action.
Board Information
Meeting Schedule
The Forks Community Hospital Board of Commissioners meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 5:00p.m. in the Leibold Conference Room located at 421 5th Ave
Forks, WA 98331. We encourage community members to attend, as this is one of the best ways to stay informed. You may also participate virtually:
Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 233 536 564 846 1 Passcode: Zs6wM2Sk
or by phone: 689-218-0530
Participant Access Code: 169 966 565#
Please check our social media feed and this website for notifications about Special Board of Commissioners meetings.
Written comments submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the board meeting shall be considered in the same manner as oral comments. All written comments shall be addressed to the Board of Commissioners as a whole and not to an individual commissioner.
Comments can be submitted via board@forkshospital.org or dropped off at the Administration Office.
