Mission Driven Boards
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Mission-Driven Boards Debra Baker Beck, EdD Wyoming Victim Services Conference August 11, 2009
description
Slides from workshop presented at the 2009 Wyoming Victim Services Conference
Transcript of Mission Driven Boards
Mission-Driven Boards
Debra Baker Beck, EdDWyoming Victim Services ConferenceAugust 11, 2009
Why Mission-Driven?
Board’s leadership role – and responsibilities – for mission fulfillment Define, uphold mission Link organization to community Set policy, sanction programs
Becoming Mission-Driven
The right people
The right focus
The right practices
The Right People
Recruiting for mission
Skills, perspectives needed for mission
Clarity about why they are there and what they’re asked to contribute
Diversity, representation
The Right Focus
Constant connections to mission, beginning with orientation
Regular opportunities to reflect and discuss In meetings, retreats
Roles and responsibilities clarity
The Right Practices
Mission-driven agenda
Clarity re: board roles and responsibilities
Broad leadership opportunities that draw upon their specific contributions
Strong partnership with executive director
Board Building Cycle
Some Next Steps-People
Identify: Your board needs (talents, perspectives,
etc.) Your existing capacities Your needs – for recruitment focus
Evaluate your recruitment processes
Some Next Steps-Focus
Ask this question at the end of every board meeting: How did we advance the mission today?
Schedule time to reflect During meetings Outside of meetings
Some Next Steps-Practices
Acknowledge, use member expertise Peer learning
Initiate regular self-evaluation Board-level Individual
Update (write???) a board job description
An AddendumHildy’s three visionary board questions:
What are we holding ourselves accountable for? To whom are we holding ourselves accountable? What matters most to our board?
When we do our annual planning, what future are we planning to create for our community?
When we measure success, whose success are we measuring? What indicators might we use to measure change in our community?
Another Addendum!
7 Guiding Questions (mgt vs. governance) Is it big? Is it about the future? Is it core to the mission? Is a high-level policy decision needed to
resolve a situation?
Great Boards, Fall 2008 issue, “Distinguishing Governance from Management”
Addendum II, Continued
More Guiding Questions Is a red flag flying? Is a watchdog watching? Does the CEO want and need the board’s
support?
