Critical Success Factors of Governing Boards

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Below are listed 37 factors which influence the success of a governing board. Please check the 10 factors which you believe are most critical to the success of a governing board.

Select ten:

Ensures that a strong financial foundation is established and preserved
Understanding member needs and is responsive to them
Views the professional staff as a partner
Exercises “due diligence”
Ensures that board decisions are implemented
Is comprised of recognized leaders
Provides input on activities
Terms of office are defined and a clear officer succession process is in place
Effectively manages the finances of the organization
Focused on the future rather than the past or the present
Effectively resolved conflicts within the governing board
Ensures that programs and services meet the needs of members
Supervises staff work
Reviews and approves all marketing plans and materials
Ensures that chapters have a say in the affairs of the organization
Annually evaluates the performance of the Executive Director
Divides management oversight responsibility among the Board members
Is flexible and willing to make exceptions to rules
Focused on mission, vision and goals
Hires excellent legal counsel
Established a strategic plan with annual goals
Approves all “public” positions prior to their release
Ensures that the organization has a sound annual budget
Overrides decisions of committee and staff when appropriate
Is effective in weighing pros and cons and makes well informed decisions
Makes decisions based upon data
Has a clear and meaningful purpose for existing
Ensures that the annual conference is successful
Establishes realistic membership recruitment goals
Ensures that budgets are realistic even if that means approving a deficit budget
Is aware that role politics plays in any organization and governs accordingly
Envisions the future and insists that the strategic plan is based upon it
Effectively solves problems
Is focused on desired outcomes, not process
Selects the best investment instruments available
Follows Roberts Rules of Order
Ensures that the organization is in compliance with state and local laws