If you suck at your job and you show no signs of improving, you are either put in a role you can succeed in or fired.
If you are average to good at your job and you do it every day, day in, and day out, you get to keep your job.
If you are good at your job and you take time (personal or on the clock) to better yourself, take on new tasks and responsibilities, or continue your professional education in an area that applies to your everyday work, you are given a raise and/or a promotion.
If you are on the board, it doesn't matter, you attend a meeting once a month in your busy golf schedule and collect more pay than I make five years. Go you.