BENEFITS OF THE BOARD SELF-ASSESSMENT

BoardSource has developed its assessment tool to meet the unique needs of nonprofit boards. Based on years of BoardSource experience and the expertise of our consultants, the tool

• establishes a common understanding of board roles and responsibilities
• helps boards discover areas of strength and areas in need of improvement
• shows your board’s commitment to good governance
• measures your board’s performance against recognized roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards as defined by BoardSource
• is confidential and enables board members to share information openly
• can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection, allowing board members to complete the assessment at a time and place that is convenient for them

Boards that have done a self-assessment were rated more effective by chief executives than those that have not (66 percent vs. 42 percent). (Source: BoardSource Nonprofit Governance Index 2010)

The online process adds value, efficiency, and convenience.

• Facilitator can preview and give final approval before survey is sent to board members.
• Most organizations are able to increase response rates because the process is user-friendly.
• Report is delivered to facilitator within one to two days after assessment is completed.
• If anyone has technical difficulties, friendly assistance from BoardSource is available by phone or e-mail.
• Participants can request an e-mail confirming that their completed survey was received by BoardSource. This reassures board members that their data will be included in the final report.
  

* Data from the Nonprofit Governance Index 2010 is based on responses from 978 chief executives and 780 board members selected from the BoardSource membership. Nonprofits of all budget sizes are represented: 31% has budgets less than $1 million, 48% between $1 million and $10 million, and 21% has $10 million or more.

BENEFITS OF THE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Assessing the chief executive is one of the board's primary governance responsibilities and is critical to the success of the chief executive and the organization as a whole. This tool clarifies the chief executive's responsibilities, job expectations, and annual goals; captures the board's perception of the executive's strengths, limitations, and overall performance; and fosters growth and development of the chief executive and the organization.

The Assessment of the Chief Executive enables your board to evaluate the performance of the chief executive in four key areas:

Use the results of the Assessment of the Chief Executive to establish goals for the year ahead, set appropriate compensation packages, and document the assessment process.