By Bob Harris, CAE
“But we’ve always done it that way!” It’s the common reply by boards when asked about their rationale as to why they meet so often, why they sustain ineffective committees, or why the agenda is primarily “reports and updates.”
Many organizations developed a governance system when they were founded 20, 50 or 100 years ago.
A governance review analyzes aspects such as board composition, governing documents and committee effectiveness. The result is improved understanding, structure and performance. While it may be led by a consultant, it can be conducted by a task force making recommendations to the board of directors.
These elements are usually considered:
- Board Composition;
- Committee Structure/Use;
- Governing Documents;
- Executive Committee Purpose;
- Board Meetings;
- Strategic Plan;
- Mission Statement;
- Nomination Process;
- Orientation Tools;
- Staff Relations;
Be sure to rely on legal counsel when amending governing documents.
Click here to download the Governance Review Outline.