Board Roles and Responsibilities
There are two keys to successful boards: One is getting the best people as members and the other is making sure that there is clarity about what the board is supposed to do. Too many boards tend to be either "rubber stamps" that dutifully follow the lead of the organization's CEO or board chair; or "micro managers" who get too caught up in the day-to-day operations of the organization and can't delegate to those responsible for making things happen. So what should be the roles and responsibilities of boards? Most of the writing that you will find in the sites below suggests that there is widespread agreement on what boards should do compared to managers, staff and other volunteers. But it would be a mistake to conclude that there is only one correct set of board roles and responsibilities.
When you look at these sites think carefully about your organization's mission; the kind of people involved; its history and values before adopting any of the models described there.
-
This article deals with the common complaint among board members that the board is too bound up in routines and they feel they are not doing anything meaningful. Click on "No Image" to the left.Blue Avacado -
The Institute on Governance is a Canadian non profit dedicated to improving governance. It provides a thorough overview of various models that can be used in deciding what the board's role should be and much more.The Institute on Governance -
A useful discussion from The Institute on Governance of the idea that there is "one best way" for boards to carry out their responsibilities.The Institute on Governance -
This booklet from the Government of Canada covers all aspects of the roles, liabilities and development of boards of directors.Government of Canada