Board Development.
I believe that strong Boards are critical to the success of non profit organizations.
Over the years I have participated in Boards of all sizes, reported to Boards and consulted with Boards on a variety of issues including strategic planning, governance, recruitment, Board development and Board/staff relationships.
I am familiar with the Carver governance model – and for the most part am in favour of it. In my experience, difficulties with the model most often arise when there is a lack of understanding or appreciation of some of its intricacies – particularly with respect to the Board’s responsibility for monitoring.
After delivering some workshops on Carver governance, I came to the conclusion that it is not a model that one learns about and embraces overnight. To help Board members understand the model and its implementation, I created a set of “maps”, which Board members could take with them from a training session for their ongoing reference. These maps have been well received by my colleagues and I welcome the opportunity to share them with others. Contact me if you would like me to send you an electronic copy of the maps.
Board Self Assessment
One of the best things that a Board can do for its own health and that of the organization it governs is to conduct an annual self assessment, using practical and efficient tools. This review allows the Board to step away briefly from the ongoing work of governing the organization and really consider how well it is fulfilling its mandate and what it can do to improve 
its operations. The online Board Self Assessment offered through this site is quick, easy to implement and highly reliable. Scoring of results takes place automatically. As your self-assessment consultant, I will provide you with a brief analysis of the results and recommendations around areas for discussion by your Board.
I have pilot tested this system with a few organizations, with very good results. I found that even when I knew only a little about the organization, I was able to flag issues that needed attention.
How it Works
Your Board agrees to complete the assessment tool and you provide me with a brief overview of your organization and Board and a list of Board members and their e-mail addresses.
I contact your Board members and encourage each of them to complete the confidential online Board Self Assessment Survey. I review the results and submit a written report. Should questions exist about your organization’s specific circumstances, Board and senior staff will be consulted to fine tune the survey report.
About the Survey
The survey consists of 40 questions related to:
• Mission and Strategic Plan
• Transparency and Communication
• Board Structure
• The Board’s Understanding of its Role
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Oversight of Human resources
• Assessment and Control Systems
• Planning for Succession and Diversity
Board members simply click on the survey link and choose from 5 responses to each question:
• Yes, we have done this well.
• We’re working on this.
• This needs out attention.
• Don’t know.
• Not applicable.
The survey will take about 5 minutes to complete; perhaps a few minutes longer for some.
Benefits
• The self assessment is conducted by an objective third party, allowing Board members the opportunity to provide frank, confidential information about their impressions of successes and challenges in the various areas of governance.
• The self assessment can be conducted in a very short time frame if necessary.
• While completing the survey, Board members often experience a “wake-up” about some aspect of governance that has not received the attention it deserves.
Pricing
The cost of this service for up to 12 Board members ranges from $500 to $850.
Contact me for more information.