intro to board governance course outline

 

Topic 5: Board Committees and Leadership

  • Committees

    • Board committees vs. operating committees

    • Nominating

    • Audit

    • Budget & Finance

    • Executive Committee for actions between meetings?

    • Others?  Standing vs. ad hoc
       

  • Board Leadership

    • Chair

    • Other officers:  Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

    • Leadership succession
       

Topic 6: Board Operations

  • Administration of board

    • Number of directors

    • Terms of service

    • Official agreements – Conflict of Interest, etc.

    • Other considerations
       

  • Meetings

    • Participants

    • Information / Board packet

    • Meeting agenda & content

    • Executive sessions, special meetings
       

  • Board Education

    • Introductory Materials

    • Ongoing Education
       

Topic 7: How Does a Director provide effective service?

  • Review Expectations, Authority/Responsibility, Board’s Contributions

  • Provide linkage to the community

  • Develop and maintain policies

  • Assure Executive Director performance

  • Commit to the mission

  • Contribute time, talent, treasure

  • Additional tips, suggestions, resources

Topic 1: Governing Board Overview

  • Governance Structure

    • Community

    • Governing Board

    • Executive Director

    • Managers

    • Employees / Staff / Volunteers
       

  • Comparison to Advisory Board

  • How Directions flow

  • Authority and responsibilities of a Governing Board

  • Expectations of Directors

  • Introduction to Board policies

  • Legal issues
     

Topic 2: Membership

  • Consider Directors’ responsibilities and expectations

  • Consider focus of the board:  govern & develop policy

  • Seek mission advocates plus business perspective

  • Develop a cross-section of the community

    • Occupational – skills and expertise needed for oversight

    • Demographic – age, gender, race, etc.

    • Other – bring other desirable traits to table
       

Topic 3: Board Policies

  • Reminder of policy basics from Overview

  • 4 Categories

    • Ends

    • Means

    • Board Rules and Responsibilities

    • Board-Staff Relationship
       

Topic 4: Relationship between Board and Executive Director

  • Responsibilities

    • Of the Board

    • Of the Executive Director
       

  • Govern through Board policies

    • Ends:  Mission & plans

    • Means:  Executive Limitations

    • Board-Staff Relationship:  How Board interacts with staff
       

  • Manage the Executive Director

    • Hire

    • Develop

    • Assist

    • Monitor

    • Evaluate

    • Compensate

    • Terminate