Article

Jeffrey Miller, FCPA, FCA, LPA, CFE, TEP, Partner

This is the time of year when Boards of Directors begin to prepare for their monthly board meetings in the fall. It is also a good time for boards to consider ways of encouraging active participation in the organization from board members.

This article outlines four steps I recommend to engage your board members and build an effective board.

1. Seek out board members with specific skill setsSeeking out people with the necessary skills to fill specific roles on the board will help create a well composed board that will run efficiently and effectively. It is more advisable to have someone with a financial background, as opposed to a legal background, act as your treasurer.
2. Create job descriptions with realistic time commitmentsBelieve it or not, this is not very common on boards, but really should be. One of the major reasons people cite for not becoming more involved and joining a board is a lack of time. On the flip side, some people will join a board without realizing the time commitment that will be required.Creating job descriptions for each position on the board clearly outlining what is required of the individual will help secure the right people. The duties of each standing committee also need to be part of your board recruitment package, as this will tie into the expected duties and time commitment for your board members.
3. Set the expectations of each individualEvery board is different. Some boards primarily deal with governance issues and matters for the organization, while other boards are more involved in the operations of the organization. boards of smaller organizations tend to be more involved with operational matters.Another way to describe the difference would be to say that a board that deals primarily with  the governance of an organization is one in which operational matters are delegated to employees, whereas a board responsible for operations takes an active role in participating in activities.
4. Board orientationThe first board meeting of the year should be an orientation session where the board is educated on exactly what the organization does. This can be achieved through presentations by the executive director and management, and tours of the facility.However, there is nothing that has a greater impact on a board member than a live testimonial from people who have been positively impacted by the organization.

The effectiveness of an organization starts at the very top with a strong Board of Directors. Taking care to bring in people who have the time to commit, have a complete understanding of the organization and its mandates, and are skilled in the areas necessary to perform their roles are the keys to a successful Board of Directors.

Following the steps outlined in this article will go a long way in helping ensure your board is the best it can be.