This document discusses best practices for non-profit boards to be fulfilling, effective, and smart. It emphasizes the importance of having a common vision, clear roles and responsibilities for the board and staff, and focusing on strategic issues rather than micromanagement. Essential questions are provided to guide board members in investing their time to improve strategy, relationships, public standing and the position of the CEO.
4. Base assumptions
Want to make a difference
Prepared to make a difference
Believe that the Library does & can make a
difference
Best libraries have the best Boards
Different perspectives & perceptions
5. Base assumption
Boards lose the effectiveness & collective as well as
individual fulfillment when:
Lack of common vision for the Library
Blurring of Board/Patron/Operational responsibility
As soon as you become a Board member you cease
being the Library client you once were & will be again
when you are no longer on the Board
If staff come to you about issues, direct them to the CEO
7. Essential questions
Am I willing to invest the time to create common voice for
our Board and a clear sense of strategy?
Am I willing to work with the Board to focus on our roles?
Am I willing to delegate to staff the means of
implementation? Am I willing to avoid micromanagement
and administration?• And I willing to be fair, consistent and
constructive in feedback to the CEO?
Thank you to Dr. Ken Haycock for these, & for teaching me about Boards
8. Essential questions
Can I acknowledge that the CEO directs the staff, not the
Board?
Am I willing to invest the time in planning meetings to ensure
success? [generate items; develop criteria; apply criteria]
Am I willing to invest in improvement? [feedback; retreats;
process observer]
Am I willing to model the behaviors that the Board values?
[consensus building? starting/finishing on time? moving the
agenda forward?]
Am I willing to invest my time in improving the public standing
of the Library? Developing meaningful, effective relationships
with council and the Town?
Thank you to Dr. Ken Haycock for these, & for teaching me about Boards