The perfect board governance is an elusive concept. It is a goal boards must strive towards. They can get there when boards are aware of what good governance for boards should look like.
To accomplish this, boards must be well-structured, chosen and geared towards the future. They must be able to meet the requirements and desires of the company and also those of the stakeholders. They must be able to deal with new regulatory pressures as they develop.
In the end, the viability of a non-profit institution is contingent on the board’s ability to overcome these challenges and ensure that it is set up to be sustainable in the future. If that means maintaining the health of an organization’s programs, or ensuring that it is in good shape for accreditation, a strong board can help its members fulfill their responsibilities as trustees and help the community.
Setting up a board agenda as well as schedule is a crucial element of the structure. It must be clear enough to allow directors to determine what issues need their attention, and which ones can be delegated to management or committees. It should also specify when the board must be informed or consult on issues that don’t require a full board vote.
In the end, boards must be able to identify their own weaknesses and areas for improvement. An annual evaluation is useful because it allows the board to evaluate its performance to that of peers.
first board meeting discussion and decision making