Youth for Christ Board of Trustees Training 2-Hour Training (December 2010)

Introduction  Strong Boards are the foundation for a strong YFC ministry  Some Boards are ineffective even through they are comprised of competent individuals  This training will explain YFC’s philosophy on how a YFC Board should function  YFC uses a “Governance” model of board leadership Refer to Board Manual Page #1

Purpose of a Board  1. Represents Stake Holders  God  YFC movement  Young people, civic groups churches donors Refer to Board Manual Page #2

Purpose of a Board  2. Leadership  Establishes purposes and objectives  Selects National Director  Fiduciary responsibility  Ensures that the organization and staff are well managed Refer to Board Manual Page #2

Purpose of a Board  3. Individual Contributions  Time  Talent  Treasure Refer to Board Manual Page #3

Discussion Questions  To what extent does our board represent the wide variety of stake holders in our context?  In which areas of leadership is our Board strong?  What is one area of leadership in which our Board could improve?  Are our Board members making appropriate contributions of time, talent and treasure? Refer to Board Manual Pages #1-3

Governance and Management are Different  1. Separation of Governance and Management Functions is Essential  Boards govern, staff manage  When boards manage, they can’t govern  Staff get confused and stifled when boards try to manage Refer to Board Manual Page #3

Governance and Management are Different  2. Governance is Directive  Boards provide overall direction for the organization  Boards establish the boundaries within which management will function Refer to Board Manual Page #3

Governance and Management are Different  3. Management is Specific  Boards give direction; management executes those directives  The National Director and staff “flesh out” the directives in terms of day to day operations  Board members may volunteer in specific management function roles. Refer to Board Manual Page #3

Discussion Questions  How well does our Board do in providing direction?  Does our Board sometimes slip into the area of management that should be done by the National Director and staff? Give examples.  How can we insure that our Board fulfills it’s governance responsibilities and stays out of management decisions ? Refer to Board Manual Page #3

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  1. Guard Your Identity.  Key Question: Who are we?  The things that define us:  The Word of God  YFC’s Unifying Essentials  YFC’s Vision and Mission  Core Values  History and stories Refer to Board Manual Page #4

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  2. Commitment to Accomplishment  Key Question: How are we doing?  The way we know:  YFC’s National Self-Review Tool  Annual ministry report that compares accomplishments to our goals  Staff reports  On-site visits to ministry programs  Member involvement as volunteers  Discernment Refer to Board Manual Page #4

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  3. Focus on Your Future  Key Question: Where are we going?  Elements to our future plan  A multi-year plan  Board set the “ends”  Staff determine the “means”  Strategic initiatives Refer to Board Manual Page #4

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  4. Define Your Staff-Board Relationship  Key Question; How do we work together?  Ingredients to a sound working relationship:  Only the National Director reports directly to the board.  All other staff report to the National Director  National Director has a written job description  The working relationship is defined in terms of executive boundaries and accountability Refer to Board Manual Page #5

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  4. Define Your Staff-Board Relationship  Ingredients to a sound working relationship: (continued)  Board does an annual review of the National Director  Board provides spiritual nurture and spiritual accountability for the National Director  Thought is gives to leadership succession  National Director and staff compensation must be established Refer to Board Manual Page #5

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  5. Operate with Governing Policies  Key Question: What boundaries should define the work of the staff?  Governing policies expressed in executive boundaries written in the negative “ The National Director shall not…” (Expressing executive boundaries in the negative allows the National Director maximum freedom and creativity. Anything not prohibited is allowed.)  Funding policies  Financial policies  Personnel policies  Program policies Refer to Board Manual Page #5

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  6. Develop Board Strength  Key question: Is our board strong?  Elements needed for good Board development:  New members regularly added to maintain board size reflected in the By-Laws  New members oriented, and all members receive training periodically  Board represented at Regional, Area and General Assembly conferences  Occasional meeting for fellowship and prayer Refer to Board Manual Pages #5-6

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  6. Develop Board Strength  Elements needed for good Board development: (continued)  A board retreat at least every other year.  Retreat should include a time when the Board evaluates its own effectiveness using the National Board Self- Evaluation Tool. (See appendix 7, pages in the Board Manual) Refer to Board Manual Page #6

Six Critical Roles for the YFC Board  6. Develop Board Strength  The following items will assist in Board Development: (Suggestions for each of these is included in the Board of Trustees Standing Policy Manual. See appendix 1)  Board governing philosophy and style  Board role and job description  Board membership criteria  Board member expectations  Board officer roles  Committees  Code of conduct for Board Members Refer to Board Manual Page #6

Discussion Questions  What means does our Board use to insure that YFC is accomplishing its mission in our country?  Does our Board have a clear picture of what YFC should look like in 3, 5 and 10 years?  To what extent do we have governing policies that provide boundaries for the work of the staff?”  Is our board strong? How could it be stronger? Refer to Board Manual Pages #4-6

Boards and Board Members are Different  The foundational principle is that board members function as individuals, while Boards function as a singular governing body.  Boards:  Agree to disagree in Board meetings  Only formal decisions made by the whole board are binding on the National Director  Board members leave the meeting in support of the decisions made by the board. Refer to Board Manual Page #6

Boards and Board Members are Different  Board Members:  Act as “volunteers” when carrying out their individual responsibilities - they do not carry board authority as individuals.  Acts of support and encouragement  Involvement in fundraising efforts  Service on committees  Representing YFC to the community  Using talents to contribute to the work of YFC Refer to Board Manual Pages #6-7

Discussion Questions  Why is it important that only the board as a group can give direction to the National Director?  What are some potential problems that would occur if individual board members tried to with “board authority”?  What are some appropriate ways our Board Members are making significant contributions to the YFC Ministry as individual Board Members? Refer to Board Manual Pages #6-7