The Board Self-Assessments Procedure helps determine that the Board has the capabilities essential to thoughtfully examine basic organizational issues such as quality and costs, while providing imaginative leadership and, if not, to determine what can be done to acquire these capabilities. Also, to bring individual assumptions and concerns to the surface, to be dealt with at a greater level of awareness and in terms of the direct and indirect consequences they may have on the organization.

A self-assessment of the Board as an entity and as individual members should be conducted periodically, at least every two years. The President of the Board, together with the Board Development Committee, is responsible for setting the standards and procedures whereby Board self-evaluation can occur on a regular basis.

Each self-assessment is to be conducted in a detailed, step-by-step process designed to bring about positive and practical changes in the Board as a group and in individual members’ performances. (8 pages, 1,732 words)

The Board of Directors’ self-assessment should be conducted publicly, with full participation of the members, Executive Director and agency staff. It is generally agreed that resulting changes will be more easily accepted and implemented when those involved in the changing process have also been involved in the process to determine the change.

The first step is identifying the status of agency programs, as well as the desired future status of agency programs. To do so, the Board Development Committee, with assistance from appropriate staff members, will gather valid data that reflects the present situation and the need for future actions.

Next, the Development Committee, with input from the Board President, will formulate a questionnaire. It should be accompanied by pertinent data gathered by the committee. Time will be set-aside at a regular Board meeting or, if possible, at a special workshop for confidential completion of the questionnaires.