Board Development Training - Module 3 - Board Accountabilities

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» Module 3 - Board Accountabilities


To Whom?
For What?
	Mission & Planning
		The Destination
		The Route
	Transparency
		Transparency Test
	Structures
		Structural Snags
	Understanding Its Role
		Know the Job
		Uphold Trust
		Crush Conflict of Interest
	Fiscal Duties
		Scavenger Hunt
	Human Resources
		HR Challenge
	Assessment & Control Systems
	Future Boards
		Succession
		Diversity
		Plan for the Prospects
By What Means?
Catch up With Carlos Debra

Board Processes

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Catch Up With Your Classmates

The latest news from Debra …

Remember what I was telling you last time about my board not fulfilling its governance role and certain board members not meeting their individual responsibilities? Well, I acted on one of your suggestions that I hope will solve the problem. I created and delivered a board training session after our last meeting on the role of the board and its individual members. I'm also thinking about volunteering to create board job descriptions and evaluations that could help to address these issues. Accomplishing these projects will not only help the board, it will add leadership experience to my resume too.

As I continue to consider whether to let my name stand for re-election to the board, I'm realizing there is still a lot of work that I could contribute to. For instance, after reviewing Board Accountabilities I'm concerned that my board has some catching up to do in a number of areas. Before I go back to the board to express my concerns, though, I want to be sure that I fully understand whether my concerns are warranted.

Can you clarify in which area of board accountability, if any, the following issues might belong?

Recently, a member of the public requested that we send her all the board's detailed financial statements for the last year. The Executive Director consulted the board with this request. Although our organization is in good financial shape, and we produce regular, accurate financial statements, we decided not to act on this request. Did we fail to fulfill one of our accountabilities?

(A) Yes, mission and planning
(B) Yes, transparency
(C) Yes, structures
(D) Yes, board's understanding of its role and avoiding conflict of interest
(E)Yes, fiscal responsibility
(F) Yes, human resources
(G) Yes, assessment and control systems
(H) Yes, succession and diversity planning
(I) No, you did not fail in your accountabilities

My board is a working board, but we have delegated the responsibility of program delivery and volunteer management to our Executive Director and two counselors. The board continues to insist on being informed of the details of every volunteer mentor application. In which area of accountability does the review of volunteer applications fit, considering our management structure?

(A) Mission and planning
(B) Transparency
(C) Structures
(D) Board's understanding of its role and avoiding conflict of interest
(E) Fiscal responsibility
(F) Human resources
(G) Assessment and control systems
(H) Succession and diversity planning
(I) This is not a board accountability

Once a year the board has a retreat, when we get together to talk about the issues that are likely to be on the agenda for the next year. We delegate some tasks to the committees, but none of this is ever written into a formal strategy. Is creating a written plan one of the board's accountabilities?

(A) Yes, mission and planning
(B) Yes, transparency
(C) Yes, structures
(D) Yes, board's understanding of its role and avoiding conflict of interest
(E) Yes, fiscal responsibility
(F) Yes, human resources
(G) Yes, assessment and control systems
(H) Yes, succession and diversity planning
(I) No, this is not a board accountability

My board has an insurance policy that covers the organization's property, but we do not currently carry liability insurance to protect the organization, and its directors and officers in the event of abuse, because it is just so expensive. Are we disregarding one of our accountabilities?

(A) Yes, mission and planning
(B) Yes, transparency
(C) Yes, structures
(D) Yes, board's understanding of its role and avoiding conflict of interest
(E) Yes, fiscal responsibility
(F) Yes, human resources
(G) Yes, assessment and control systems
(H) Yes, succession and diversity planning
(I) No, this is not a board accountability

In talking to the Executive Director about creating board member evaluations the other day, she mentioned to me that she has never received a performance evaluation since starting her job four years ago. Is the board neglecting one of its accountabilities?

(A) Yes, mission and planning
(B) Yes, transparency
(C) Yes, structures
(D) Yes, board's understanding of its role and avoiding conflict of interest
(E) Yes, fiscal responsibility
(F) Yes, human resources
(G) Yes, assessment and control systems
(H) Yes, succession and diversity planning
(I) No, this is not part of a board accountability

It's time to move on to module 4 where you'll learn about board practices.

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