The ABCs of Board Orientation A template for adaptation by your association

Things to think about before you begin….

Time of year Length of session

Participants Directors Staff? Committee leadership? Others?

Speakers? Past Presidents Community leaders Senior staff State reps. Outside consultants Others?

Include: Either in a packet or links to your intranet on your association’s website (or both”) – Strategic plan – Bylaws and policies – Committee descriptions and rosters – Staff roles and roster – Calendars – Key websites – Parliamentary procedure charts

Icebreaker Begin with some type of icebreaker that provides for introductions of everyone with some personal information included

Organizational Review The Three- Way Agreement Highlights of Services Key Websites Trademark

Mission/Vision Key Strategic Objectives Business Plans Staff Location(s) Website

Bylaws Policies and procedures

Association structure/reporting process Committee structure Appointment process Delegation

Budgeting and Financial Review Developing & managing the budget – Relationship to plan – Percentage of staff time – Estimated direct expense/income – When will money be spent? Plan for liquidity – How to Read a Financial Statement

Financial statements What to look for? Variances Liquidity/cash flow Projections/forecasts Progress of programs/plans

evaluating your programs and products Were your objectives met? If not why not? Questions to ask? Should this be continued as is? Should this be continued, but modified? Should this be discontinued? All input required

Leadership Roles/Responsibilities The Board’s Duties

DEFINING PURPOSE: WHY ARE WE HERE AND WHAT DO WE DO?

Strategic and business plansPlanning programs, products & services Tie to initial plans Develop shorter term plans Determine staff and other resources Delegate Develop related budget Require accountability Report frequently

Obedience Loyalty/Conflicts of interest Disclosure Confidentiality Accounting Reasonable care

Liability Antitrust price-fixing, boycotting tying agreements NAR E & O

WORKING WITH STAFF

Evaluating the CEOWorking as a teamMicromanagementExpectations Position descriptions

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS RESPONSIBILITIES Role of the Board of Directors in Ethics Enforcement

COMMUNICATION PRACTICES/EXPECTATIONS When, how, where

BEING ENGAGED With membership, community, committees, more

RPAC AND CALLS TO ACTION Fair share, other award levels, directors’ commitment expected

ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

Expectations Spokesperson Policy Ambassadors

MEETINGS

Calendar Key association meetings – Directors/mem bership/other Special events State meetings NAR meetings

EFFECTIVE MEETINGS

Key points for board meetings Review standard directors’ agenda Review agenda and materials prior to meetings Participate – healthy disagreement is good! Honor confidentiality Egos Consensus-building

BASIC PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE Call the question!!

The key motions Making motions Amending motions Substitute motions Postponing motions Referring to committee “Calling the question”

RECRUITING NEW LEADERS

How we do it here:

Other Ideas for recruitment Let members know what you’re looking for Evaluations of events (goals & skills) Create a database of skills and background Nominating committees/ applications Matching skills and strategic direction

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