Better Board Meetings

@CNEColorado

#NPD2016

#governance/emilydavisconsulting /AskEmilyD

BETTER BOARD MEETINGS

Emily Davis, MNMPresident, Emily Davis Consulting

Senior Governance Consultant, BoardSourceMarch 4, 2016

@CNEColorado

#NPD2016


TURN ON YOUR TECH

@CNEColorado@AskEmilyD#governance

@CNEColorado

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@CNEColorado

#NPD2016


TODAY’S TOPICS

• Board roles• Facilitating and

structure effective meetings:– Board meetings– Strategic planning

retreats– Committee meetings

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LET’S GET STARTED

QUESTION? CHALLENGE!

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BOARD ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

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SHARED LEADERSHIP

BOARD LEADS

SHARED LEADERSHIP

ED LEADS

StrategicPlan FundraisingPlan/Strategies

Evaluation BoardMeetingPrep

PolicyQuestions StaffHiring&Oversight

Develops,Implements,&

OverseesPrograms

ChiefFundraiser

OperationsReporting

Create&ReviewPolicy

CEOHiring&Oversight

ConnectionstoFunding

FinancialDueDiligence

BoardRecruitment&Retention

@CNEColorado

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@CNEColorado

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MEETING TYPES

BoardMeetings

Strategic Planning

Retreats

Orientation

OtherCommittees

Volunteers

Trainings

Stakeholder Gatherings

Social Events

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BOARD MEETING TIPS

Governance

• Board reports• Strategic

priorities/goals• Mission moments• Ask questions• Avoid

micromanagement

Facilitation

• Consent agendas• Shared

responsibilities• Giving

accountability• Follow up

Participants

• Guests, Staff• ED• Board members• Honor time

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BOARD MEETINGS

AGENDA

• Frequency• Keep under 2 hours• Focus on governance• Strategic plan

priorities, goals• Mission moments• Recognition• Consent agendas

FACILITATION

• Quorum• Attendees • Roberta’s Rules of

Order• Avoid

micromanagement• Accountability• Virtual vs. in person

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MEETING PREPARATION

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STRATEGIC QUESTIONS*

What is our capacity? What does success look like?What matters the most to us?

How does this serve our mission? How does it fit our strategic goals? How might this be a challenge for us?

Why is this important right now? Why should we consider other options?Why is this relevant to our stakeholders?

*GovernanceasLeadership

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• Board assessment

• Executive Director

• Committees

• Meetings

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AGENDA ELEMENTS

• Strategic Priorities, Mission Statement

• Call to Order, Attendance

• Mission Moments

• Board Reports Discussion

• ED Report Discussion

• Voting

• Adjournment• Next meeting

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OPEN OR CLOSED?

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IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

How does this serve the mission?Does it fit our strategic goals?

What’s our capacity?What does success look like?

Keep it high level!

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AFTER THE MEETING

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COMMITTEES

• Types

• Purpose

• Members

• Meeting frequency

• Communication

with board

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

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EXAMPLE: FINANCE COMMITTEE

Board asks strategic questions

Monthly, quarterly ED/Finance Committee reports on budget

Board participates in fundraising efforts to meet financial goals

Board reviews, asks strategic questions, amends, approves budget

ED/Finance Committee researches drafts budget for approval

Board requests annual budget

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MINUTES & NOTES

MINUTES

• Secretary role• Organizational history• Legal for audit• Call to order &

adjournment• In attendance,

excused, missing

NOTES

• Chair or committee member

• Non-legal• Use for reports• Attendees• Action items &

timeline• Connect to work plan

@CNEColorado

#NPD2016


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STRATEGIC PLANNING RETREATS

Strategic Priorities

Goals

Objectives

Tactics

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WHAT IS STRATEGIC PLANNING?

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WHAT IS A PROCESS?

DISCOVERY

Document reviewOrganizational assessmentStakeholder inputSituational analysis

RETREAT

Board educationPriorities discussionSWOTMisc. activities

DOCUMENTATION

Plan narrativeDrafts revisedImplementation dashboardAppendices

IMPLEMENTATION

Plan highlightsDashboardChampionsReview quarterly, reportsUpdate annuallyTechnical assistance

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WHO CONDUCTS PLANNING?

Objective perspectiveTime to commit and compile infoServe as “bad guy”ExpertKeeps focus on prioritiesCosts $Board/staff resistance

Less moneyUnderstand org bestCan get bogged down in detailsMore subjectiveTime accountability

Self-Facilitated

Consultant

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COMMUNICATION

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue, with the people who are doing

something you don’t believe is right.” - Dr. Jane Goodall

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@CNEColorado

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RESOURCES

• BoardSource• 4Good• Roberta’s Rules of

Order• Boardroom Chemistry:

Getting Your Board to Govern as a Team

• Creating Caring and Capable Boards

• Meeting and Exceeding Expectations: A Guide to Successful Nonprofit Board Meetings

• Nonprofit Board Answer Book

• 10 Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards

@CNEColorado

#NPD2016


Emily Davis, MNMEmily Davis Consulting

(720) [email protected]

emilydavisconsulting.com

Better Board Meetings

Government & Nonprofit

Transcript of Better Board Meetings