This booklet sets forth the responsibilities and challenges facing Illinois school board members. As the first section on general responsibilities shows, the school board takes action only as a body and speaks only through the written record of its meetings. Individual members lack the authority to commit the school board to a particular action, expenditure, or policy, and must perform their community leadership role in a manner consistent with the law and with procedures agreed upon by the full board. Members must also adhere to the Illinois Association of School Boards Code of Conduct. Section 2 explains the structure of Illinois school government, and section 3 discusses the local school board structure, board officials' responsibilities, and the kinds and purposes of various meetings. Section 4 outlines the board's powers and duties. Section 5 provides a sample agenda and explains meeting rules and conduct. Section 6 discusses educational finance, including funding sources and accounting procedures. Section 7 discusses board duties regarding collective bargaining and labor relations issues. Members are particularly advised not to confuse labor relations with human relations. Appendices provide tips on communicating and dealing with conflict, procedural policies and plans to increase meeting effectiveness, resources for further reading, and a statement of principles and procedures for effective cooperation between a board member and the chief administrator. (MLH)