Is it time for a board check-up?

In my years consulting various organizations and their boards, I’ve led numerous board retreats with various emphases. I’m typically brought in to help boards get clarity on things like:

• Fundraising
• An upcoming capital campaign
• Strategic, long-term vision casting

All of these topics are valuable pursuits for a board and worthy of the time given. But, one area often overlooked when planning a retreat is: What about the board itself? 

I love when a charitable organization sets aside time for the board to get together and reflect on its overall effectiveness. Focusing on “best practices” is a valuable exercise, but it’s often overlooked in favor of more immediate concerns. However, establishing the long-term success and effectiveness of the board is vital to organizational health.

In my newest book, The Intentional Board, I outline what I call 10 Big Ideas for Board Effectiveness. One of those ideas is Committees Work. First. (Use ’em.)

Have you been to a board meeting that felt like a waste of time? In many cases, the reason meetings become so cumbersome is because the pre-meeting work has not been done by a committee of the board. 

Committee work must proceed board action. In fact, my advice is that all recommendations come to the board solely through a committee. If this process is followed, each motion has had the benefit of in-depth deliberation and consideration by a committee that has spent time focused on that topic — before it ever gets to the board room.

You have smart people on your board. They are capable of making sound recommendations. Avoid the notion that you must discuss every topic in detail during the precious time available in a board meeting. Reserve that time for appropriate board level discussions.

Committees DO work — as long as they’re given the mandate and opportunity to do so. When the board spends its time doing the work of committees, the board fails, and by extension, the organization suffers.

This notion of committees bringing recommendations to the board can be a very drastic change for some boards. However, it is vital for the board’s health and effectiveness. Does your board take an annual retreat and allow time for an internal review of effectiveness? If not, I suggest making it a priority!