Board Development Plan

Proposed Recommendations for Action (SAMPLE)

Recommendation: Establish well-written job descriptions for board directors, officers and staff that outline roles, responsibilities and authority of each.

• Board responsibility
• Sample job description for individual board directors 
• Job descriptions for board officers 
• Job description for committee chairs 
  

Recommendation: Develop written responsibility descriptions for each standing committee.

• Sample committee descriptions.
   

Recommendation: Establish a board development committee.
Recommendations in the areas of Board Recruitment, Selection and Development:

• Define/outline board and committee recruitment and development process. Develop a formalized plan for board selection.
• Identify critical skill/information needs and key constituencies for board.
• Proactively maintain diversity/representation of board.
• Regularly examine board and committee membership to make sure it is reflective of the key constituencies.
  

A process for board and committee recruitment and supporting forms that addresses these recommendations is described in the supplementary article "Developing a Board Recruitment Plan".


Recommendation: Formalize the decision-making process between committees and the board of directors.

• Board and Committee Decision Flow Chart
• Executive Committee Planning Form
  

Recommendation: Use a consent agenda for board meetings. To expedite business at a board meeting, the board can approve the use of a consent agenda that includes those items considered to be routine in nature.

• A sample board meeting agenda that includes a consent agenda section .
  

Recommendation: Utilize a board meeting feedback form after each board meeting to maintain a focus on priority governance matters.

• A sample feedback form
  

Recommendation: Conduct an Individual Board Director Self-Evaluation on an annual basis.