Creating an Exceptional Governing Board Maher Budeir Balanced Leadership Institute Certified Boardsource® Governance Trainer

Balanced Leadership Institute Resources Boardsource® www.boardsource.org National Council of Nonprofits www.councilofnonprofits.org CISNA: Council of Islamic Schools in North America www.cisnaonline.info Balanced Leadership Institute, BLI www.bliatlanta.com 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Our Goal – Exceptional Board Plans, Anticipates, Sees opportunities Exceptional Strategic, Plans, Fiscal Responsible No real consequence Functional Conflict Disengaged Dysfunctional 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute AGENDA What is Governance? Board Responsibilities Partnership of the Board and Principal The Board role in Fund Raising Board Building Cycle Special Topics: Decision Making Board Structure Board Meetings Board Assessment and Board Performance Getting the Board members engaged 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Section 1: What is Governance? 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

$$$ Organizational Components Services Programs Events Management Governance - Boundary – Policy – Direction – Long term Planning - Oversight Services Programs Events Governance Management Governance $$$ Typically the Board of Trustees establishes the boundaries and direction for management through policy, and long range goals. NOW WE HAVE the complete structure and an entity that thinks ahead and sets the strategy and measures success. Systems Systems Governance - Boundary – Policy – Direction – Long term Planning - Oversight 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Organizational Lifecycle Concept Startup Growth Maturity Decline Nonprofit organizations go through phases Some will stall in one phase Some will move on to decline Some will address their issues and avoid decline 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Organizational Development Development Stage Components Startup Growth Maturity Decline Programs Governance Management Resources Administrative Systems Components of the organization do not move through these phases simultaneously When components get to far out of sync the organization effectiveness suffers Most obvious poor quality programs Inadequate resources (manpower, skills, money) Lack of coordination, instruction Lack of legal compliance or internal controls 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

SECTION 2: Board Responsibilities 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

The 10 Basic Board Responsibilities Develop Vision, Mission and Purpose. Ensure proper strategic planning Select the Principal Ensure Necessary Financial Resources Build a competent Board Enhance the school standing Strengthen programs and services Protect assets Ensure legal and ethical integrity Support the Principal 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Governance vs. Management Strategic Operational/Tactical Long Term Short Term Central Organizing Statement Day to day Actions What and How How Doing the right thing Doing things right Concept Tools for Implementation Considers Compound, indirect, and cumulative effect. Considers immediate results. Defines philosophy and values Comply/adhere to philosophy and values Overall Direction Specific methods and tools Importance of the distinction Who does what. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board role and responsibilities Exercise 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Building an Exceptional Board Break! 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

SECTION 3: Creating a Board-Principal Partnership. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Shared Responsibilities Board Engagement vs. Principal Engagement (Flip Chart) OBSERVATION LEADERSHIP ATTENDANCE MICROMANAGEMENT 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Shared Responsibilities Levels of Responsibility A – Principal Should check with Board prior to doing. B – Principal Should notify the board but can proceed. C – Principal can proceed, it is a sole responsibility and precedent was set. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Shared Leadership School Administration Religious Affairs Board Chairman, ED and Imam must be working together regardless of whether they like each other More than anything else this relationship will impact the organizational success Remember we do this for Allah 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board/Imam/ED Partnership Constructive Partnership Communication between the Principal and Board is open and honest. There is effective collaboration between the Principal and Board on major decisions. The Principal actively involves the Board in leading the organization. The Board openly discusses and challenges recommendations made by the Principal. I can share and discuss my mistakes with the board without fear they will hold them against me. Board members help develop each other’s strengths. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Section 4: The Board Role in Fund Raising 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board Role in Fund Raising Strategic Revenue and Financial Planning: Identifying the different revenue streams. Purposely determining which streams to pursue. Determine what portion of the revenue will each stream provide. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board Role in Fund Raising Major Steps in Fund Raising: Identify Cultivate Solicit (the ASK) Steward Different Board members are more comfortable participating in doing soliciting. But every Board member must participate in the other three steps: identify potential donors, cultivate potential donors, and steward donors after their participation to help them become frequent donors. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Section 5: building a competent Board. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Board Building Cycle 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

1. Identify and 2. Cultivate Identify individuals with needed skills and characteristics Connect them to the organization Get them interested in the organization. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 3. Recruit Describe What is needed and why they could be a good fit. Explain responsibilities Explain Expectations Keep diversity in mind while recruiting (all types of diversity) 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 4. Orient Organization History Programs Pressing Issues Finances Facilities Org. Structure Board: Board members Committee structure List of key staff Bylaws Policies Recent minutes 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 5. Involve Discover their interests and availability Involve them in committees and task forces Assign them a Board mentor Hold everyone accountable Express appreciation 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 6.Educate Mission related matters Explore issues facing the organization Encourage board development activities Don’t hide difficulties or challenges. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 7. Evaluate Both individual and collective board assessment Offer opportunities for self assessment Examine how Board members and Principal collaborate. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute 8. Rotate, 9. Celebrate Establish term limit Develop new leaders Recognize victories and progress Celebrate accomplishments Appreciate individual contributions. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Board Building Cycle 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Building an Exceptional Board Break! 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

SECTION 6: Special Topics Decision Making Board Structure Board Meetings Board Performance and Assessment Getting Board Members Engaged 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Decision Making What decision making process is followed? Whose decision is it? Consistency is essential Setting the tone for the organization Inclusiveness and genuine consultation is a sign of strength not weakness. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Board Structure Board Officers: Chair Secretary Treasurer Vice Chair? Board Committees Governance Committee/ Election Committee Business/Finance Committee Executive Committee Q&A on Board Structure 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Board Meetings Frequency and length of meetings of a well-functioning school Board. How to build the Board Agenda Who is responsible for developing the Board agenda How to conduct a successful meeting. What are the Board member responsibilities before, during and after a Board meeting. Should Board meetings be open to all? When is it OK to have an Executive (closed) Meeting? Q&A on Board Meetings 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board Performance and Board Assessment Who is the Board accountable for? How do we make sure the Board is held accountable? How is the Board assessment conducted. Sample Board self-assessment Refer to the 10 Basic Board responsibilities Discussion Q&A on Board Assessment 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Board Member Engagement Indicators of Board engagements Board members listen attentively to each other Each Board member contributes unique prospective on issues under consideration At Board meetings, different individuals take the lead on topics or issues. The majority of the Board members are active in overseeing and governing the organization. Generally, the majority of the board members participate in the discussion rather than a few individuals. Board members help develop each other’s strengths. 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Q&A 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute

Balanced Leadership Institute Resources Boardsource® www.boardsource.org National Council of Nonprofits www.councilofnonprofits.org CISNA: Council of Islamic Schools in North America www.cisnaonline.info Balanced Leadership Institute, BLI www.bliatlanta.com 1/13/2017 Balanced Leadership Institute