Board of Directors Evaluation

Vast majority of content in this topic applies to for-profits and nonprofits. This book also covers this topic.

Developing, Operating and Restoring Your Nonprofit Board - Book Cover

The following table can be used by all board members and the chief executive to get an impression of how well the board is doing. The table is a rather basic form for board evaluation. But, if the evaluation is conducted wholeheartedly, the form should indicate how the board is generally doing in conducting its role.

Each member and the chief executive should complete the form about four weeks before a board retreat. Members attach suggestions about how the board could get higher ratings for any or all of the following 14 considerations.

Ideally, someone outside the organization receives the completed forms, collates the results and write a report indicating the number of respondents who rated the board for each of the 12 considerations.

	Considerations	5 Very Good	4 Good	3 Ave.	2 Fair	1 Poor
1	board has full and common understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a board
2	board members understand the organization’s mission and its products / programs
3	structural pattern (board, officers, committees, executive and staff) is clear
4	board has clear goals and actions resulting from relevant and realistic strategic planning
5	board attends to policy-related decisions which effectively guide operational activities of staff
6	board receives regular reports on finances/budgets, products/program performance and other important matters
7	board helps set fundraising goals and is actively involved in fundraising (nonprofit-specific)
8	board effectively represents the organization to the community
9	board meetings facilitate focus and progress on important organizational matters
10	board regularly monitors and evaluates progress toward strategic goals and product/ program performance
11	board regularly evaluates and develops the chief executive
12	board has approved comprehensive personnel policies which have been reviewed by a qualified professional
13	each member of the board feels involved and interested in the board’s work
14	all necessary skills, stakeholders and diversity are represented on the board

Please list the three to five points on which you believe the board should focus its attention in the next year. Be as specific as possible in identifying these points.

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