20/20 Board Health Checkup
For organizations updating or reforming their governance models, there are many variables at play. Need guidance? Look no further, as the Association Management Center provides a checklist to help navigate the process.
Governance Area Description | Yes | No | Requires Action | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Board Size and Makeup | |||
Not too big, not too small, just right—balanced. | ||||
Crafted on the basis of needed competencies, focusing on the future and diversity/balance. | ||||
2. | Board Role | |||
Respect for fiduciaries—care, loyalty, obedience. | ||||
Respect for conflicts (of interest). | ||||
Respect for the “non-official” fiduciaries of curiosity and foresight. | ||||
3. | Board/Staff Partnership | |||
Appreciation for who is best equipped to do what. | ||||
Empowerment to get the right things done well. | ||||
4. | Trust and Respect Among Leaders | |||
Less focus on former leaders. | ||||
More focus on future leaders. | ||||
5. | Civility in the Community | |||
Maintain civility in community and the boardroom. | ||||
6. | Nimble and Focused Decision Making | |||
Appropriate decision-making methodology and authority to anticipate changes in the competitive environment. |
||||
7. | Clarity on Priorities | |||
Alignment on what we can do. | ||||
Alignment on when we can do it. | ||||
Alignment on the resources it takes to accomplish it. | ||||
8. | Committees/Work Teams that Contribute Meaningful Work | |||
Pledge for clarity on what a work team should do. | ||||
Clarity on the authority to get the work done. | ||||
Resources to get the work done. | ||||
Nimble committee/work team structure to accomplish the work. | ||||
9. | “Think Big” Leads to Do Big | |||
Appropriate level of risk-taking to think and do big. | ||||
10. | Strategy, Generative Discussions and More Strategy | |||
First half of each board meeting focused on strategy and generative discussion. |
||||
First half of each board meeting has no reports, updates or operational issues. | ||||
11. | No Dysfunctional Harmony | |||
High quality decisions. | ||||
Managed, thoughtful, respectful conflict. | ||||
12. | Culture, Candor and Curiosity | |||
Mindful board culture of candor, curiosity, inquiry that builds trust. | ||||
Assumption of good intent in all volunteer and staff leaders. |
Download a printable pdf of this chart for your use.
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