Many nonprofit boards have issues with their performance. Some boards are subject to strict legal scrutiny and must make improvements. Others are looking to increase their value to donors or the community. And still others need to address specific board governance issues. It is best for all boards, regardless of the pressures, to carry out some kind of evaluation. A performance evaluation may seem daunting, especially if it is a brand new process for the board. The right tools and guidelines can aid any board in overcoming obstacles and get to the top.
The first step is to understand the issue. The most frequent issues are that the board serves too much as a “rubber stamp” for management decisions or gets involved in operational issues that should be left to the management team and CEO. Additionally, the board might not be aware of its legal liabilities and how to shield itself from them.
In these situations, the board must define and clarify the role of the board and also establish clear lines of communication between the board and the management team. The board must also ensure that it has the right structures that can be used to carry out its tasks. This could include committees and officer positions that are responsible for gathering and analyzing information about the board’s performance. It is also crucial to follow-up on any agreed actions that result from an assessment. Otherwise, the momentum that was created during the evaluation process may fade away.
http://boardroompro.net/managing-conflict-of-interest-at-board-level-4-things-to-know
