Key Terms
PROCEDURES
By-laws, board manuals, position descriptions, administrative and technical support.
STRUCTURE
Board size, officer positions, committee design.
Procedures include
By-laws, board manuals, position descriptions, administrative and technical support. Structures include: board size, off
Boards most likely to drift
Those that skip self-assessment and don't train members on governance roles.
Definition
The internal support system that keeps board operations running — minutes, records of decisions, meeting preparation, do
Why they matter
Without clarity on who is responsible for what, even well-meaning teams experience tasks falling through the cracks or b
Positions needing descriptions
Board members, Chair/President, Vice- Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, committee chairs.
If budget allows
Hire professional staff to support the board.
If no money for paid staff
Clearly define the volunteer board secretary as the de facto administrator; recruit someone well-organized and detail-or
Examples of ICT tools referenced in the chapter
Internet, intranet, online calendars, video-conferencing, VoIP/Skype, email, social media.
General guideline from how-to literature
Boards should not exceed 15 members.
General recommendation
Keep formal offices few; many have no real function beyond ceremonial.
Standing committees
Permanent committees created in the organization's by-laws.
Recommendation
Keep standing committees to a minimum. Too many standing committees (Property, Program, Purchasing, etc.) often have no
Task forces / special project groups
Created as-needed with clear terms of reference and deadlines; dissolved when the work is done.