Tips to maintain an enthusiastic board
If you pay close attention to board appointments you are half way to having a healthy, vital board. Naturally, maintaining excellence takes a lot of hard work and commitment.
- Undertake an annual board review. Try using a small, confidential survey requesting feedback, ideas, and recommendations for the future. Consider putting in place a committee to manage this process.
- Be sure that roles within the board are clearly defined, and that each member is absolutely clear about the organisation's goals, mission and ethics.
- Ensure boardroom procedures are effective and efficient. If they don't suit those on the board, change them.
- Take plenty of time to recruit board members. The right people ensure a strong and effective board.
- Be committed to a diverse and representative board.
- Pay attention to the needs and morale of board members: are they satisfied? If not, try job sharing or swap some responsibilities with other board members.
- Expect a high standard, and hold people accountable.
- Make full use of your board members' skills and expertise.
- Ensure that the workload of all board members is comparable: lack of involvement leads to boredom, overwork leads to burnout.
- Let the board know of progress in the organisation or excellence among members and staff. Keep the board informed about and interested in the organisation.
- Determine an appropriate length of service for your board members (and look to new members rather than simply re-appointing the old).
- Recognise board decisions that are successful. People tend to look to the board in a time of crisis, but do not necessarily give it credit in the good times.
- Keep the organisation informed of board decisions, and make the board accessible so a great divide does not occur between members/volunteers/workers and the board.
- Implement a mechanism to allow members to have their say or to suggest ideas for the organisation.
- If a board member leaves prior to the expiry of their term, find out why to ensure that any concerns they may have with the organisation are addressed.