Editor's Note:
I facilitated a panel at the recent ASAE Annual Meeting. Our topic: Why Boards Fail and How to Fix Them. Our panel used 8 case studies to address our topic. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing many of the case studies ... you can find the cases on SlideShare.
The case I shared follows:
Name of Association: A national association of calf growers
Description of the Organization:
The case I shared follows:
Name of Association: A national association of calf growers
Description of the Organization:
350 members; 15 board members; $300,000 budget
The Problem:
The Problem:
As a fairly new association coming from a relationship with staffing from multiple agencies, board members focused on minute day-to-day tactical issues. For example, on one 60-minute board conference call, the board spent 21% of the call discussing what color of shirts to wear the first day of its convention.
The Solution:
DrakeCo began with a comprehensive board orientation program preceded by a board self evaluation. The orientation included “alerting” the board to how much time it spent on the color of shirts. We reminded the board that board time is a non-renewable resource. We coached the board chairs about “controlling” flow of meeting. The organization adopted the modified consent agenda format. We revised the agenda by listing action/discussion under the specific strategic plan key objectives. This helped focus the organization on its strategies.
Example of the Modified Consent Agenda for a board conference call
I. Process & Procedures
II. Strategic Goal #1: Promote educational programs and professional development
Take-aways:
The Solution:
DrakeCo began with a comprehensive board orientation program preceded by a board self evaluation. The orientation included “alerting” the board to how much time it spent on the color of shirts. We reminded the board that board time is a non-renewable resource. We coached the board chairs about “controlling” flow of meeting. The organization adopted the modified consent agenda format. We revised the agenda by listing action/discussion under the specific strategic plan key objectives. This helped focus the organization on its strategies.
Example of the Modified Consent Agenda for a board conference call
I. Process & Procedures
II. Strategic Goal #1: Promote educational programs and professional development
- Annual Conference
- Regional Profit Seminars
- Voice of the Industry trade shows
- Research study approval
- Member benefits survey results
- Membership report
- Financial & management report
- Board minutes
Take-aways:
Monitor board performance and share weaknesses. Coach the board chair and board members on good board meeting management. Consider using a consent agenda format for board meetings. Focus board time (a non-renewable resource).
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