{"id":543,"date":"2012-11-28T16:53:26","date_gmt":"2012-11-28T21:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/?p=543"},"modified":"2022-06-28T10:32:05","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T14:32:05","slug":"10-good-questions-board-members-should-ask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/10-good-questions-board-members-should-ask\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Good Questions Board Members Should Ask"},"content":{"rendered":"

A friend of mine and I were chatting (cocktails were definitely involved), both of us in our post executive director days. He looked sheepish and nearly whispered \u201cDid your board ever give you a standing ovation?\u201d I nearly spit my gimlet out of my mouth. He continued: \u201cI\u2019ve always wondered if that ever happened to others but was too embarrassed to ask.\u201d  \u201cNo,\u201d I responded. \u201cBut I have gotten a few rounds of applause.\u201d<\/p>\n

Back before I entered the nonprofit world<\/a>, I never once a got round of applause. And I gave some some kick ass presentations. In corporate America, you prepared not to take a bow but to take a hit. You prepared for questions \u2013 good ones, thoughtful ones, tough ones and yes, some really stupid ones.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong. I really like applause. And appreciation at board meetings is really important for staff morale. But it is my opinion that executive directors don\u2019t often see questions as good and board members don\u2019t often enough ask good questions. This feels especially true when it comes to the work of the organization – programs.<\/p>\n

Maybe it would be helpful to suggest a few? Here are a few tips and 10 questions board members might consider asking at an upcoming Program Presentation.<\/p>\n

BEFORE THE BOARD MEETING<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A quick email from Board chair to E.D. that says \u201cthe Board would like a program update at the next meeting\u201d will not cut it.  A good CEO will ask the Board Chair questions about the goals, what the board is looking for, what s\/he think might be useful. A good board chair will include that in the email.<\/p>\n

KEYS TO A GOOD PRESENTATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A good program presentation should not simply be a dog and pony show.  Nor should it be a reiteration of a report a board member read (or didn\u2019t) before arriving.  It should be:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • 1 part dog\/pony (yes you want to impress your board!)<\/li>\n
  • 1 part storytelling (the one your board member remembers and tells others)<\/li>\n
  • 2 parts analysis  (what is working well; what needs shoring up)<\/li>\n
  • 1 part big strategic concern that can be discussed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    30 MINUTES IS TOO SHORT \/ 45 MINUTES OK \/ 60+ BETTER<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Not much to add here. Just orchestrate so that you do not run out of time before questions.<\/p>\n

    HERE ARE 10 QUESTIONS TO TRY ON.  SEE IF THEY FIT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    I understand that program presentations are all unique depending on the organization and the services it provides. There is not a \u201cone size fits all\u201d model. But here are some that come to mind.<\/p>\n

    1) For the benefit of newer board members, has this been a service we have provided since our founding?  If not, when did we add and why?<\/p>\n

    2) If quantifiable, a chart that talks about the number of folks served and how that has increased \/ decreased over time.<\/p>\n

    3) Take it the basics. How many staff are allocated to this program and what % of our $X budget does this represent.<\/p>\n

    4) As you look from a higher vantage point, does this % feel right relative to the other work the organization does?<\/p>\n

    5) Where else do people turn to for this service?  Why is our program better?<\/p>\n

    6) What is your vision for this program?  Where would you like to see it in 5 years?<\/p>\n

    7) Tell us a bit about staffing in this area \u2013 where is it relative to 2-3 years ago?  What impact has that had?<\/p>\n

    8) How do folks know this service is available? How would you rate our marketing efforts?  What else is needed?<\/p>\n

    9) Is there a way for we as Board members to get involved that would add value to the organization or to your ability to provide these services?<\/p>\n

    10) Tell us one story that you find to be most compelling to donors.<\/p>\n

    A FEW LAST THOUGHTS<\/h2>\n

    –       Board members are ambassadors. Every question should be asked in the tone and spirit of someone who is deeply committed to the mission.  And the CEO \/ senior staff should feel that.<\/p>\n

    –       A presentation with no substantive questions is not a good use of time.  For either the presenter or the board.<\/p>\n

    –       A CEO should welcome these questions.  The more a board member knows, the more invested she is.  The more skin she has in the game, the more she will jump through hoops for the organization you all care so deeply about.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It is my opinion that executive directors don\u2019t often see questions as good and board members don\u2019t often enough ask good questions. Here are some ideas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,15,30,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-first-rate-board-meetings","category-board","category-board-relationship","category-ceo"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Good Questions Board Members Should Ask<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Executive Directors sometimes think questions are bad. 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