1.
IDEC European Leadership Seminar
Ljubljana, Slovenia
January 24-25, 2014

2.
Committee
Volunteers
Chairs
Regionals
State
Associations
IRA
Committees
Affiliates
Local
Councils
Board
Members
IRA
Board
Projects

3.
 Set
a defensible set of directions
 Influence followers/members to
move in that direction

4.
Leadership effects are usually largest
where and when they are needed most.

5.
1)
2)
Think of someone whom you feel
exemplifies good leadership
Identify two to three leadership
characteristics that person possesses

6.

Ability to: listen, analyze, think clearly
and creatively, work well with people
individually and in a group

7.

Willing to prepare for and attend
meetings, ask questions, take
responsibility and follow through on
assignments, open doors in the
community and evaluate oneself

8.

Develop skills if you do not already possess
them, such as to: cultivate and recruit board
members and volunteers, read and
understand financial statements, have
deep, substantive knowledge of programs
and services.

9.

Possess: honesty, sensitivity to and
tolerance of differing views, a
friendly, responsive, patient
approach, community-building
skills, personal integrity, a developed
sense of values, concern for your
organization’s development, a sense
of humor.

10.
“Governance is the board’s legal
authority to exercise power and
authority over an organization on behalf
of the community it serves.”*
* The Handbook of Nonprofit Governance, Boardsource, 2010

11.
Why serve on a board?
 Self-interest
 Ego
 Altruistic

12.
Implement mission and establish
strategic direction
 Ensure necessary resources to
implement the mission
 Provide fiduciary oversight


13.
Duty of Care – stay informed and understand
issues to make decisions
Duty of Loyalty – undivided allegiance to the
organization when making decisions
Duty of Obedience - duty bound to be faithful to
the mission and ensure compliance with the laws
and relevant regulations, as well as bylaws
Ultimately, you are part of a group vested with
making decisions on behalf of the organization
and accountable for those decisions.

14.

Have clear understanding of board’s responsibility
for governance of the organization

Regularly attend board and committee meetings

Serve on committees; take special assignments

Stay informed


Follow conflict of interest and confidentiality
policies
Support the organization by informing others of its
work

15.
States the purpose of the organization
 Defines members
 Defines the board and officers
 Defines terms and succession
 Provides protection for board
members
 Outlines specific decisions requiring
vote as determined by law


16.
PROCEDURES
POLICIES
BYLAWS

17.





Ensure board members carry out roles and
responsibilities
Be a contact for board issues
Facilitate board meetings: promote meaningful
dialogue, give every member the opportunity to
contribute
Operate according to what’s best for the
organization
Ensure board members have all necessary facts
and figures, pros and cons when making a
decision

18.




Agenda features discussions that are
ambiguous, examine problematic
situations, rather than reports and routine
motions
Meetings focus on small number of issues
addressed in depth
Meetings are organized around what needs
to be accomplished versus how the
organization is organized
There is flexibility in meeting rules

19.






Who sees the situation differently?
What are we missing?
What problems might the proposed solution
create?
What is the best possible outcome?
What is the worst-case scenario?
What is the next question we should
address?

20.



Questions assumptions, probe feasibility,
identify obstacles and opportunities
Promotes robust dialogue
Posit that great minds think differently, and
discussions are enriched by multiple
perspectives

21.
• Few committees of the board; use of special
committees (i.e., task forces, etc.)
• Committees are structured around what
needs to be accomplished versus how the
organization is organized
• Committees have description and charges,
are clear in their purpose, and work toward
specified goals and timelines

22.



Work groups to accomplish tasks that need to
be done outside of board meetings; can be
charged with developing proposals or acting
on behalf of the board
Create a charge – a statement of purpose that
explains role, expected outcomes, and sets
due date for deliverables.
Committee structure is driven by the strategic
plan

23.




Have specifically stated purpose, with clear
deliverables due in a specified time period
Maintain minutes and report on a schedule to
the board
Are disbanded when work is done
Can be convened for short-term or special
projects (task forces, ad hoc, etc.)

24.
Exceptions:
 Governance/Nominating
 Finance

25.








The Board functions as a team
Board maintains and adheres to a Code of Conduct
Board entrusts committee and its members to carry
out and fulfill committee purpose
Board member recruitment is deliberate and
conducted against a strategic purpose
New board members are provided with orientation
The board monitors and annually evaluates board
performance
Committee structure is streamlined and flexible
Meetings are strategic, focused, engaging,
productive

26.
mpost@reading.org
www.reading.org