I Board Governance Solid Ground Consulting

Summary

TRAINING RESOURCES
Assessment
Sample Organizational Assessment
Instructions:
Step 1. Read each question carefully, and pick from the answers on the answer sheet. Answer the
questions based on your own perceptions and opinions about the board of directors and the organization,
not as you think others might respond. If you do not know the answer, don’t guess — simply say
"I Don’t Know.”
Step 2. When you have completed the questionnaire, go back through the questions and circle the ones
that you feel offer the most relevance to the issues facing your organization. Which questions point to
the core issues of the organization?
I. Board Governance
1. Do you know the mission of your organization?
2. Do all board members understand their personal liabilities and legal responsibilities?
3. Is the board’s time spent developing and setting policies for the organization rather than on
day-to-day operations?
4. Is the current size of the board appropriate for accomplishing its work?
5. Does the organization have set procedures for electing board members and officers, for
staggered terms of members and for a committee structure?
6. Does a nominating committee develop criteria for recruiting and selecting new board
members, based on the current needs of the board?
7. Does the nominating committee seek nominations for your board from the staff, current
board members, and the organization’s clients and members?
8. Does your organization have an orientation for new board members that covers roles and
responsibilities as well as specifics about your programs?
9. Does the organization provide leadership training to future officers and committee chairs?
10. Are members recognized and appreciated for their contributions and accomplishments?
11. Are materials such as the agenda, minutes of the last meeting, and background reports
provided to board members in advance of the board meeting?
12. Does the board have effective working committees, such as finance, acquisition, fundraising,
personnel and community relations, that report regularly to the board?
13. Do the committees include both board and non-board members?
 2014 Solid Ground Consulting
TRAINING RESOURCES
Assessment
Sample Organizational Assessment
14. Are committee members provided with job descriptions?
15. Do board members have a good record of attendance at board and committee meetings?
16. Is there a clear process of conducting discussions and making decisions at meetings?
17. Does the meeting agenda state clearly the purposes of the meeting?
18. Do officers, chairs and board members understand their roles during meetings?
19. Is time spent on discussion, prior to action, appropriate?
20. Are all members, including new members, encouraged in board and committee meetings to
present their views, opinions and ideas on both old and new business?
21. Does your organization have a positive climate, enabling people of diverse perspectives to
resolve differences and remain involved?
22. Does your organization identify the skills and interests of all members in order to maximize
the volunteer satisfaction in board roles and assignments?
23. Are routine matters requiring board action handled efficiently during meetings?
II. Planning and Evaluation
24. Does your organization have a systematic planning process?
25. Does the board develop realistic short- and long-range goals consistent with the mission
and values of the organization?
26. Does your organization set measurable objectives and time frames for achieving them?
27. Do the plans specify who is responsible for implementation?
28. Does your organization evaluate its programs, based on objectives and workplans?
29. Is evaluation built into the planning process?
30. Do board members, staff, volunteers and community resource people participate in the
review and evaluation of the organization?
31. Do the evaluations result in a positive, constructive context for improving effectiveness
throughout the organization?
 2014 Solid Ground Consulting
TRAINING RESOURCES
Assessment
Sample Organizational Assessment
III. Personnel
32. Does your organization have written personnel policies, periodically reviewed by the board
to keep them up-to-date and in compliance with legal requirements?
33. Does the board have a personnel committee?
34. Does the executive director have a written, realistic job description?
35. Is the executive director evaluated by the board at least once a year?
36. Does the board recognize its obligation to provide a reasonable salary and benefits package
to its staff members?
37. Are the executive director, board president and board members clear about their roles,
responsibilities and authority?
38. Does the board assume sole responsibility for setting policy?
39. Does the executive director assume responsibility for implementing the policies and
administering the internal operations of the organization?
40. Are the relationships between board members and staff members characterized by
openness, trust and mutual respect?
41. If board members also serve as program volunteers, do they understand the different lines
of authority for the two roles?
IV. Fundraising
42. Does the board understand its responsibility for ensuring that the organization has sufficient
financial resources to conduct it operations?
43. Does the board have an active fundraising committee?
44. Does your organization have a fundraising plan that identifies the sources and uses of funds,
focuses on diverse funding sources, etc.?
45. Are such factors as number of volunteers and staff hours, community visibility and image,
and the organization’s purpose considered in all fundraising decisions?
46. Are the purposes of your fundraising activities clearly stated and communicated to
the community?
 2014 Solid Ground Consulting
TRAINING RESOURCES
Assessment
Sample Organizational Assessment
V. Financial Decision-Making
47. Do board members understand their roles as community trustees who are legally
responsible for the finances of the organization?
48. Does your board have a finance committee to oversee all of the organization’s finances and
make regular reports to the board?
49. Is the annual budget developed to reflect the purposes, values, and program priorities of
the organization?
50. Does the board approve the annual budget?
51. Do all members understand the financial reports and balance sheets so that they are
comfortable asking questions?
52. Has your organization established internal controls necessary to safeguard its finances?
53. Do the financial statements include amounts budgeted, amounts received and expended,
and the variances, both monthly and year-to-date?
54. Does your organization have its finances audited annually by a certified public accountant
who presents a report to the board?
VI. Marketing and Public Relations
55. Does your organization have a marketing plan?
56. Does your organization’s planning include an assessment of your community’s future
conservation needs?
57. Does your organization have an effective system for informing the public about programs
and services?
58. Is there a system for receiving information, ideas, and suggestions from members and other
potential “clients?”
59. Does your organization use the media effectively?
60. In your opinion, is the public’s impression of your organization accurate?
 2014 Solid Ground Consulting

Sample Organizational Assessment Instructions: Step 1. Read each question carefully, and pick from the answers on the answer sheet. Answer the questions based on your own perceptions …

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is board governance and why does it matter?

Board governance is a term that comprises the systems and processes governing the behavior of a board of directors and the organization they represent, the scope of responsibilities of the board themselves, and a framework for board decision-making. In other words, board governance describes both what boards do, and how they do it.

Who is the boardsource group?

We believe in the infinite possibilities of engagedboard members, strategicleadership, and exceptionalgovernance. We are here to help strengthen your board. We are the former Senior Governance Consultantsof BoardSource, the premier organization in nonprofit governance in the U.S.

What is a nonprofit governance consultant?

nonprofit consultant who specializes in what you're looking for. Govern Better We work with you to design and deliver results that have a lasting impact. Home Copyright © 2021 Nonprofit Board Governance Consultants, All Rights Reserved.

How can software help make board governance easier?

While much of good board governance comes down to organizational culture and policies, software can help make board governance easier. Board membership can be demanding, especially for those members who sit on multiple boards.