20/20 Board Health Checkup

For organizations updating or reforming their governance models, there are many variables at play.

By The FORUM Magazine Editors

FRM 005 Pulse Checklist

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.

About the Author

Written by the FORUM Magazine Editors.

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