The document discusses how executive directors and boards can work effectively as a team to ensure good governance. It emphasizes that boards provide resources, knowledge, and strategic direction to support the executive director and advance the organization's mission. For constructive partnerships to form, roles need to be clarified, trust and respect established, and open communication maintained through performance feedback. Key responsibilities of boards include determining mission, overseeing finances, ensuring legal and ethical compliance, and building future leadership through succession planning.

1. Working effectively with
your Board of Directors
Are you and your board an effective team?
In order to ensure good governance within
your organization, the executive director
and board need to work as a team. Board
members provide resources and
knowledge that can play a tremendous role
in supporting the executive director and
advancing the organization. This session
will look at roles, governance,
transparency, and how the executive
director can utilize the strengths of their
board effectively.

2. Board Needed for Governance
• It’s the law
• The governing or policy-setting body
• Sets strategic direction
• Provides expertise
• Accepts legal responsibility
• Assume fiduciary roles for the
organizations well-being

3. Board’s Role
• Determine mission and purpose
• Select Chief Executive
• Support and evaluate the Chief Executive
• Ensure effective planning
• Monitor and strengthen programs and services
• Ensure adequate financial resources
• Protect assets and provide financial oversight
• Build a competent board
• Ensure legal and ethical integrity
• Enhance the organization’s public standing

4. The Director’s Role
• Promote the organization (ambassador)
• Participate in the organization (volunteer)
• Safeguard ethics and values (guardian)
• Duty of care
• Duty of loyalty
• Duty of responsibility

5. Constructive Partnership
Exceptional boards govern in constructive partnership with the chief executive
This is accomplished through:
• Role clarification
• Trust and respect
• Communication
• Performance feedback

6. Clear Expectations
Job Descriptions
• Leadership
• Governance
• Oversite
• Duties
Agreement / Expectations
• Meeting attendance
• Committee engagements
• Special projects
• Give or get requirements
• Attendance at functions
• Outreach and connections

7. Intentional Recruitment
• Determine need
• Take inventory
• Identify gaps
• Set goal number
• Always building potential candidate pool
• Review pool
• Vet candidates
• Full board approval

8. Succession Planning
• Be planning for who will be the next leader
• And the one after that
• And the one after that

9. Organization Structures
• By-laws
• Procedures
• Term limits
• Officer planning
• Ensuring transitions

10. Board Relationships
• Build a relationship with each member of your board
• Know their skills
• Know why they have chosen to serve
• Know what they hope to accomplish
• Engage them individually

11. Chair Relationship
• Determine how you will work most effectively together
• Meet at least once a month
• Consult with them for their perspective
• Communication

12. Communication
• Intentional
• Regulate
• Timing
• Alert
• Reinforce

13. Meetings
• Structure
• 1/3 looking back
• 2/3 looking forward
• Align with mission and strategic plan
• Discussion and decisions not being talked at
• Board members taking the lead
• Be strategic and plan for the year

14. Thank You!
Additional Questions?