Meeting Expectations – Helping Directors to be Accountable

Sydney W. Dobson, Executive Director, Seattle Architectural Foundation

 

A nonprofit board is responsible for governing the organization. Ultimately, the directors are accountable for the nonprofit’s adherence to its mission, to the donors, and the public it serves.  We ask our directors to be accountable for the organization but not for their participation. Why, then, do we keep volunteer directors who don’t do their jobs? We all know when we don’t do our fair share.  Volunteers are no different.  The premise of this presentation is that directors want to do a good job and be held accountable for their actions. 

 

Essential Concepts

•Ownership – Establish Standards with Director Commitment

•Evaluation - Evaluate Directors

•Follow Through –Provide Support & Let Go With Respect

 

Director Commitment

In [year], each Director is expected to:

 

       Attend the annual Board Orientation on [specific date].

       Attend the Annual Dinner on [specific date].

 

       Attend five Board meetings on [specific dates]. (Articles V 6.5 & VI 6.3)

       Make a personal donation to [organization] by [specific date]. (Article VI 6.3) The amount of the donation is a personal decision.

       Solicit funds for [organization] from [specific date] through [specific date] or until the campaign goal is reached and all donor renewal prospects are contacted.

       Serve on at least one committee.  Please complete the enclosed Committee/Event Sign-up Form and return it with this Commitment.

       Actively support the annual bicycling event.

       Resign from the [organization] Board of Directors if s/he cannot fulfill the responsibilities as a Director. (Article VI 6.3)

 

I, [print name],                                                                        , am willing to make every effort to fulfill these Director expectations.

 

 

Signature                                                                                              Date                                        

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Evaluate Directors

Officers:

BO

AD

B/EM%

PD

AC%

C

E

R

OP%

A

X

X

71%

X

243%

X

X

NA

100%

E

X

X

43%

X

43%

O

O

NA

43%

F

X

X

100%

X

82%

X

X

NA

100%

Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H

X

X

83%

X

110%

X

O

NA

86%

I

X

X

80%

X

236%

X

X

NA

100%

M

X

O

40%

X

13%

X

X

NA

57%

Director Evaluation Key:

BO

Attended Board Orientation

AD

Attended Annual Dinner

B/EM%

Board/Executive Committee Meeting Attendance Percentage

PD

Made a Personal Donation

AC%

Percentage of Annual Campaign Individual Goal Raised

C

Participated on at Least One Committee

E

Actively Supported at Least One Special Event

R

Resigned

OP%

Overall Participation Percentage (Based on above criteria.)