When I hear that a board is disengaged or ineffective, I ask how members are recruited. Not surprisingly, the easier it is to get on the board (i.e. the less deliberate recruitment), the higher the possibility for disengagement. A rigorous recruitment process often leads to a higher level of engagement. A more robust nominations process can result in a more robust performance. And the more carefully selected board members are, the higher the probability they can grow together into a high-performing board.
If your board is disengaged, it’s time to look at your nominations process. Recruit the Right Board, new from ASAE, provides a framework for recruitment, nomination, and selection processes to build a board with the right mix of skill, knowledge, and other characteristics to perform optimally. Researchers Mark Engle, DM, FASAE, CAE, and Will Brown, PhD, present five case studies highlighting the recruitment and selection processes, including adaptable templates to strengthen your nominations process. Samples include a board-skills matrix to align candidates with needed competencies, an application for potential board candidates, a nominee scoring matrix and a list of questions for interviewing board candidates.
Mark Engle is my co-facilitator for ASAE’s Exceptional Boards so I’ve seen him present some of this material. It’s powerful, ground-breaking work. Reading this book will save you valuable time and help you shore up your nomination and election process. You’ll benefit from best practices and case studies. Your board will be better for it. And when your board is high-performing, it’s more likely your association will thrive. And what’s not to like about that?