Form Follows Function: Does Yours?
Jul 22, 2024
First, your function: what is your purpose? Where is it written? What does governance as leadership look like for your board?
Second, then, your form. how does your structure support policy governance?
How do you ensure impact?
Here is where you start…
Well, a few clichés?
Form Follows Function.
Plan Your Work. Work Your Plan.
If you’re driving in the wrong lane, you are just spinning your wheels…
Your Four Unique Board Functions
These four areas are the essence of board leadership:
- setting strategic direction on behalf of your community;
- the critical partnership with your chief executive Officer;
- ensuring sustainable resources to achieve your mission;
- monitoring and auditing outcomes (the what, not the how) of programs, services and finances.
So, form follows function… then…
Does your Board work plan and committee structure reflect these core and unique responsibilities? How?
Your strategic and work plans have to drive your agendas.
Back to your four unique board functions...
First, Set strategic direction on behalf of the community.
Where is the responsibility now?
Suggestion: A Policy and Planning Committee.
Second, Develop the creative and constructive partnership with your CEO/Executive Director.
Where is the responsibility now?
Suggestion: The Chair. An Executive Committee. A Governance Committee.
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Third, Ensure sustainable resources to achieve your mission.
Where is the responsibility now?
Suggestion: An Executive Committee and/or Resource Development Committee.
Fourth, Monitor, evaluate, audit programs and services and finances.
Where is the responsibility now?
Suggestion: A Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and/or Finance and Audit Committee.
Governance for leadership and impact means that your structure supports your functions.
A Policy and Planning Committee.
A Governance Committee.
A Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (or include with Policy and Planning).
Finance and Audit Committee.
You might also have an Executive Committee (The Chair and Committee Chairs, one of whom is Vice-Chair).
Now for your committees to work…
- Your Functions Determine Your Structure.
- Your Structure Determines Your Committee Work Plans and Deliverables.
- Your Deliverables Determine Your Meeting Agenda.
- Your Agenda Determines Your Focus and Decision-making.
- Your Decision-making Determines your Leadership.
- Your Leadership Determines Your Impact.
Can you say at the end of each meeting: we made our community a better place to live and work as a result of our being here today… if not, your system needs work…
What are your main “pain points” dealing with board work?
What advice would be most helpful to you?
And we always assume that you are asking for a friend!
Get in touch. We’ll address your questions and concerns in an upcoming blog post.
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The Board Leader Academy:
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P.S. May I ask a tiny favour? Would you mind sharing this blog with one person? I would love it. You can post the links in your Facebook Groups, LinkedIn or even send an email.
