Governance Philosophy

The Land Hermit Crab Owners Society (LHCOS) is governed with a commitment to transparency, ethical oversight, and mission-driven decision-making. Our governance structure exists to ensure that education, advocacy, and conservation efforts remain independent, accountable, and aligned with our nonprofit purpose.

Board of Directors

LHCOS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors responsible for the organization’s strategic direction, fiduciary oversight, and policy governance.

The Board:

  • Oversees organizational strategy and mission alignment
  • Ensures financial stewardship and nonprofit compliance
  • Establishes and enforces organizational policies
  • Reviews and approves major programs and initiatives
  • Provides oversight of risk, ethics, and accountability

Board members serve without compensation.

Officers & Leadership Roles

Officers and designated leadership roles are appointed or elected in accordance with LHCOS bylaws. These individuals support day-to-day operations, program oversight, and implementation of Board-approved initiatives.

Leadership responsibilities may include:

  • Program coordination and oversight
  • Volunteer management
  • Educational content stewardship
  • External collaboration and representation
  • Operational and administrative support

Leadership roles do not confer ownership, control, or authority beyond their defined scope.

Committees & Advisory Support

The Board may establish committees or advisory groups to support specific functions, such as:

  • Governance and policy review
  • Programs and education
  • Ethics and compliance
  • Events and special initiatives

Committees operate under Board oversight and do not function independently of the organization.

Decision-Making & Oversight

Key decisions affecting policy, partnerships, programs, and governance are reviewed through established processes. Some matters require full Board review, while others may be delegated to committees or leadership roles under defined authority.

This structure ensures balanced decision-making while allowing the organization to operate effectively.

Conflicts of Interest

LHCOS requires disclosure of actual or potential conflicts of interest by Board members and individuals in leadership roles. Disclosures are reviewed in accordance with LHCOS policies to protect organizational integrity and public trust.

Affiliation with external organizations does not grant influence over LHCOS governance or decision-making.

Transparency & Accountability

LHCOS is committed to transparency appropriate to a nonprofit educational organization. This includes:

  • Publicly available governance and policy pages
  • Clear separation between educational content and commercial interests
  • Ethical standards governing programs and partnerships

Additional information about organizational relationships and disclosures is available on our Transparency and Sources & Relationships pages.

Relationship to Partner Organizations

LHCOS collaborates with aligned organizations in support of shared conservation and education goals. These collaborations are cooperative in nature and do not create shared governance or control.

Each organization retains independent leadership, governance, and decision-making authority.

Continuous Improvement

Governance practices are reviewed periodically to reflect evolving nonprofit best practices, legal requirements, and organizational needs. Policies and procedures may be updated to strengthen accountability and effectiveness.

Questions About Governance

Questions regarding leadership structure or governance practices may be submitted through the official contact channels listed on this website.