Board Assessment
Board & Staff Roles (1 of 12)
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Applicable
The roles and responsibilities of our board are clearly defined and separate from those of the staff.
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Our board takes the primary responsibility for setting the organization's policies.
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Board members seldom assume roles and responsibilities that belong to staff.
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The board delegates to the organization's chief executive sufficient authority to lead the staff and
carry out the organization's mission
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Board members do not interact with staff directly to influence staff behavior or program management
without first coordinating with and getting the agreement of the chief executive officer.
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When a problem or conflict arises between board and staff, we move quickly and effectively to resolve it.
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Board Assessment
Policy Making Practices (2 of 12)
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Don't
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Applicable
If a new policy is needed for the board or the organization as a whole, the issue is clearly presented
to and discussed by the board.
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The full board approves all new organizational policies before they are implemented.
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Policies exist for key areas such as finance, human resources, safety, conflicts of interest, legal and
ethical compliance, and any other functions unique to our organization's work.
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Our organization's policies are effectively communicated to all board members.
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The board reviews policies regularly and updates them as needed.
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The board revisits its role as the policy-making body of the organization at least every two years to
ensure it is meeting this responsibility and has not drifted off-course into areas belonging to the staff.
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Board Assessment
Planning Practices (3 of 12)
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Don't
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Applicable
Our organization's mission and purpose are clearly understood and accepted by our board.
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The mission and purpose of the organization are reviewed by the board each time strategic planning
takes place to ensure that they are aligned with current program activities.
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The members of the board reach consensus on a vision that communicates where the organization will be headed over the next 3-5 years.
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The full board collaboratively reviews and updates the organization's strategic plan at least every two years.
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Staff develop and carry out annual action plans based on the board-approved strategic plan.
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The board is thoroughly briefed by the staff on annual plans developed by staff.
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Board Assessment
Fiscal Management Practices (4 of 12)
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Applicable
The organization's annual budget is fully discussed and understood by the board prior to approving it.
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The fiscal health of our organization is regularly reviewed and any necessary board actions are taken thoughtfully but quickly.
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Board leadership takes steps to ensure that fiscal reports are thoroughly understood by all board members.
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The annual report of our organization's independent auditor is reviewed by the board and any
necessary actions are taken in a timely way.
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Board members are fully aware of their legal responsibilities for the organization's fiscal management.
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The board regularly reviews the financial investment practices and portfolio performance of the organization
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Board Assessment
Fundraising Practices (5 of 12)
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Don't
Know
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Applicable
Board members are updated regularly on our knowledge of new best practices in the field of philanthropy.
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Our organization's fundraising needs and strategies are understood by the board
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The board has a clear policy on board members' responsibility to participate in fundraising efforts
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Board members play an active role in the organization's fundraising efforts
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The board periodically engages in long-range fiscal planning to ensure an adequate flow of financial
resources to the organization over time.
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Capital fundraising needs are reviewed and included by the board as a part of the organization's strategic planning.
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Board Assessment
Board Structure and Practices (6 of 12)
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Applicable
Our board's structure allows us to get our work done in a timely and effective way
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The board's ad hoc and standing committees streamline our work process and increase board
effectiveness.
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Our members' terms on the board are about the right length.
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We consciously select and prepare board officers for their leadership responsibilities.
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Board members have a working knowledge of the organization's by-laws
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Our board's size is about right.
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Board Assessment
Board Committees (7 of 12)
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Agree
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Don't
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Not
Applicable
The board updates the needs for ad hoc and standing committees and revises the structure as necessary at the beginning of each fiscal year.
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Ad hoc and standing committee assignments generally reflect the interests and expertise of individual board members.
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Standing and ad hoc committees complete their tasks in an effective and timely way.
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Most board members actively participate in standing committee activities.
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Standing and ad hoc committees report on their progress to the full board in a timely way, but at least quarterly.
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Each standing committee establishes its goals and plans at the beginning of the fiscal year and then modifies them as needed.
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Board Assessment
Board Meetings (8 of 12)
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Agree
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Don't
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Not
Applicable
Our board's meetings schedule has the right number and length of meetings.
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The agendas of our board meetings and supporting written material are provided in advance of meetings.
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Board leaders and standing committee members contribute items to meeting agendas.
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Board meetings are generally well-run and make good use of members' time.
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Our board tends to brainstorm and identify creative approaches to problem-solving.
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Our board thoroughly examines the pros and cons of all major issues and makes fully informed decisions.
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Board Assessment
Board Membership & Orientation (9 of 12)
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Strongly
Agree
Agree
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Disagree
Don't
Know
Not
Applicable
The areas of expertise, skills, and other factors we need to be an effective board for this organization are adequately represented among current board members.
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Our board successfully assesses the expertise, skills, and other contributions we need from potential new board members to maintain or increase our effectiveness.
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We actively recruit new board members based on identified needs and not merely to fill a board vacancy.
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When seeking members for the board, we use a wide variety of referral sources within the communities we serve.
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Our board and staff inform new board members about responsibilities and important organizational information through a structured new member orientation program.
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We annually assess the knowledge and skills needs of board members and address any identified gaps in an annual board development plan.
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Board Assessment
Board Executive Relationship (10 of 12)
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Strongly
Agree
Agree
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Strongly
Disagree
Don't
Know
Not
Applicable
The chief executive receives ongoing feedback regarding job performance in addition to any formal assessments.
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Board members provide the necessary support that allows the chief executive to carry out the role successfully.
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The board ensures that the chief executive has an ongoing professional development plan to enhance the executive's leadership effectiveness and ensures the availability of resources to implement the plan.
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Board Assessment
Monitoring & Evaluation Practices (11 of 12)
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Strongly
Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Don't
Know
Not
Applicable
Board members are adequately knowledgeable about the organization's programs and services
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We periodically review with the chief executive the possibilities of adding new programs and services, and modifying or discontinuing current programs and services.
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The effectiveness of our board and committee structure is assessed at least every two years.
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We annually assess our board members' satisfaction with their participation on the board.
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We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our board meetings.
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Our board keeps itself informed of our organization's performance against predetermined plans and goals.
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Board Assessment
External Relations Practices (12 of 12)
Rows
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Don't
Know
Not
Applicable
Our board regularly assesses the effectiveness of our relations with our key external constituent groups.
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Most of our individual board members are active either professionally or personally within the communities served by our organization.
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The board has approved effective marketing and public relations strategies for the organization.
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Individual board members actively support public relations and marketing events that benefit the organization during the fiscal year.
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A majority of board members attends critical organizational events designed to promote the organization with key publics (annual meeting, annual programmatic kick-off event, openings of major new programs, etc.)
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Board members are clear about who serves as official spokesperson for the organization.
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Additional comments on External Relations Practices
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