Designed to assist college trustees in the North Carolina community college system in carrying out their duties, this handbook contains information about the system, the functions and responsibilities of trustees, local and state budgets, and pertinent laws. First, introductory comments place the work of the trustee within the context of the entire constellation of legislators, policy makers, administrators, faculty, and students who make up the community college system. Next, a brief history of the system affirms the colleges' commitment to total education, discusses the system's open door philosophy and policies, and lists key administrators and significant community college studies. The next chapter outlines some of the major responsibilities of trusteeship, including: (1) the establishment of the mission and goals of the institution; (2) the appointment, evaluation, and termination of the president; (3) sound management; (4) approval of the budget and long-range plans; (5) fund raising; (6) the establishment of educational programs; (7) community college advocacy; (8) service as a court of appeal; and (9) awareness of relevant issues and policies. The handbook then reviews the responsibilities of the chairman of the board of trustees, college president, State Board of Community Colleges, State President and Department of Community Colleges, and Attorney General. After advocating on-going self-evaluation of performance, the handbook offers a sample job description for a college president and outlines procedures for presidential searches and evaluations. Comments on community college funding are followed by guidelines for working with legislators on educational issues. Appendixes include a code of ethics, pertinent laws, a self-evaluation checklist, a glossary of terms and acronyms, and a reading list. (AJL)